Ripoll has started converting the old Pla de Ripoll warehouse into a care home and day centre, with mayor Sílvia Orriols laying the first stone on Thursday.
The first phase is energy rehabilitation of the building, which is currently in poor condition. The project is intended to add care capacity in Ripoll and reduce pressure on the town’s waiting list for older residents.
The municipality says the finished centre should offer a more accessible and comfortable space than the current seven-storey care home in Ripoll, which it says has many deficiencies. It also says the scheme is meant to improve care provision for people in Ripoll and the surrounding area.
The project had faced delays in awarding the construction contract, and there were concerns that a €2.7 million European subsidy could be lost. Local officials said the funding was secured at the last minute, but no official document was included in the source material provided for this update.
Once the energy rehabilitation stage is complete, the scheme will move on to further construction and fitting-out work. Residents waiting for elderly care in Ripoll should follow updates from the Ajuntament de Ripoll for the next phase and any service opening dates.
For more local coverage, see our news page. The project also reflects a wider need across Catalonia to update ageing social care buildings and expand capacity for older people.
