Funding appeal for retirement care facility

ONE of Waterford’s most respected charities is committing itself to caring for future generations of elderly people in the region by developing “unrivalled” facilities on a new site.

The Little Sisters of the Poor are about to relocate from their existing home on Manor Hill, to a purpose-built retirement facility in Ferrybank.

The new building will house 70 to 80 senior members of the community in a modern facility on a site close to the Abbey School in Ferrybank.

The project will cost more than €20 million, a price tag that includes the site purchase and all ancillaries.

It is expected that there will be a shortfall of about €3m which will need to be raised locally through fundraising and public financing.

The Little Sisters are launching an appeal to the people of Waterford to come up with support for upcoming fundraising activity, which will have to net in the region of €1m.

One of the most recent fundraising efforts was the Christmas Day swim in Tramore, which was a huge hit.

The Little Sisters of the Poor have served Waterford well for many years, looking after the needs of older people of modest means who may find it hard to live on their own.

They feel there is a need to move to a more modern facility, as there are huge maintenance and heating costs in their present building, which has been sold. It will be developed with the exteriors preserved for Waterford’s heritage.

Planning permission has already been approved for the new premises in Ferrybank and it is expected to go to tender shortly.

The building is modelled on a similar building in Scotland which the nuns have built in the town of Greenock.

Support for key elements of the project is being actively sought from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government but other parts of the venture will continue to require funding.

The Sisters are confident they can raise the money, despite the large figure required.

The buildings at Ferrybank will have 20 residential apartments suitable for a single person or a couple; two visiting apartments; 48 nursing beds and accommodation for the community of Little Sisters.

A number of prominent business people and supporters are willing to assist in the fundraising drive.

Gary Falconer of CJ Falconer & Associates, Chartered Architects & Planning Consultants, says the new, high-quality/low maintenance facility will lead to lower running costs and energy saving over the existing facility. He commended the two local authorities involved in the project on their helpfulness to date.

“The end result ... will be tremendous as it will raise the quality of care for the elderly to a new level,” he said.