The Ter Caele site in Evergem is being expanded into an integrated care campus. In addition to the new residential care center, it will include 24 existing assisted living units and the local service center. Home care services from Zorgbedrijf Meetjesland will also be housed here. This combination aims to create a care environment for home support, residential care, and social interaction.
Piet Vanwambeke, general director of Zorgbedrijf Meetjesland, emphasizes that the investment is not only building a new residential care center but also a future-ready care campus where living, care, services, and meeting naturally come together.
The new building strongly emphasizes sustainability and energy efficiency. Heating and cooling will be provided by a BEO field (borehole thermal energy storage) with 38 boreholes reaching 147 meters deep. The roof will be covered with solar panels, the building will meet the strictest insulation standards, and a rainwater reservoir of 200,000 liters will maximize rainwater reuse.
The campus surroundings will also be thoughtfully designed, featuring an underground parking garage to alleviate parking pressure in the neighborhood and free up space for a pleasant, green environment.
Zorgbedrijf Meetjesland and the municipality of Evergem are jointly investing 26.2 million euros in this modern care infrastructure for seniors. The new residential care center will have 94 rooms, the same as today. The building will consist of four above-ground floors containing the three resident departments, which can be divided into smaller living groups of up to 8 people for residents requiring extra attention. Residents with dementia will no longer be housed in a separate, closed-off unit; they will be supported within the WZC among other residents. Privacy and outdoor experience are central. The building is easily and freely accessible, with short walking distances, ergonomic solutions for operations, and efficient internal traffic flow.
This project represents a significant step in the further development of care services in Evergem, ensuring that future generations of seniors can rely on quality care in a pleasant and adapted environment. After a process that began in 2018 and was not without obstacles, the care company is pleased that construction has finally started.
