New home of Kids Plus opens in Waurn Ponds

THE new home of the Kids Plus Foundation has officially opened its doors.

More than 200 guests gathered at the Kids Plus Centre for Therapy, Research and Training – located at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus to see Kids Plus co-founder and physiotherapist Sarah Foley cut the ribbon.

Key accessibility features of the $3 million centre include an in-built ceiling hoist in the gym, suspension and swing hooks throughout, button entry at the front and rear doors of the building and a fully accessible Changing Places toilet. Equipment includes a Pilates reformer machine, treadmill and portable hoist.

The Kids Plus Family Playground is also an important element of the new centre. The playground has been designed around Kids Plus’ fun, play-based approach to therapy, with all equipment selected to meet this purpose. Features include a bike track, ground-level trampoline, rebound wall, sand pit with play equipment, musical elements for use in music therapy and a playground with multiple slides and other features.

The centre was designed by architects Baade Harbour Australia and built by Lyons Construction over a 12-month construction period.

Kids Plus provides family-focused therapy services to more than 200 families across south western Victoria. The foundation specialises in interventions across the life span for babies, children and young people with cerebral palsy and similar physical conditions.

Kids Plus director of therapy services Kelly Reynolds said the new centre will enable expansion of the programs it can provide, including increased group programs, parent training and more specialised therapy equipment.

“There are more spaces that are designed and suitable for teenagers and young adults with larger equipment and more specific equipment to support their goals.

“Therapists are excited and can’t wait to start seeing clients here in the New Year.”

The centre has been funded by philanthropic grants – including $750,000 from the Anthony Costa Foundation – local community fundraising efforts and $1.47 million from the federal government’s Building Better Regions Fund.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson and Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker were both at the opening.