Work will start on the Bloomfield Medical Centre at the site of the former drive-in theatre on Forest Road next month.
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The developers announced on Friday the six-storey tower which will house a private hospital and doctors rooms, would take 15 months to build and was due to open for business by October 2019.
Work on the second stage, an 82-bed medi-motel with retail shops will start next year and be completed in 2020.
Representatives of the Orange City Council, developer James Richmark Pty Ltd, the construction company the Zauner Group and Orange-based Benchmark Commercial which is seeking tenants for the complex, met on site to announce the project was ready to start.
Deputy mayor Cr Joanne McRae, said the facility would “create over 500 new jobs for the Orange community” when it is up and running.
“It is absolutely fantastic and exciting to see this project kick off,” she said.
“It is a big project for Orange and really cements us as a centre of health for the region.
“We are seeing the old drive-in become a fantastic health centre, part of the Orange health precinct.”
We are overwhelmed by the positive responses from the Orange medical community.
- Frank O'Halloran, James Richmark
Council's works in preparation for the construction phase have included water and sewerage extensions, the installation of traffic lights and widening of Forest Road.
James Richmark director Frank O’Halloran, said the company was “pleased to announce the commencement of the Bloomfield Tower.
“We are overwhelmed by the positive responses from the Orange medical community which has meant we are ahead of expectations for tenancy for the medical centre.”
Mr O’Halloran said two further stages of the project that would include a child care centre, apartments and an aged care facility, were intended to be a 5-10 year project.
Garry Zauner, managing director of the Zauner Group said it would be an “iconic’ building.
“To have a six-storey building housing a completely integrated medical approach in this precinct is, we think, a wonderful opportunity for everyone,” he said.
He said it would create about 200 jobs in the construction phase.
Benchmark Commercial CEO David Hall said several tenants, including a cafe and doctors, were already locked-in for the centre.
“This is going to be a one-stop shop for all your medical needs,” he said.
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