The people behind Observatory Village Lifecare gathered for a site blessing by Te Runanga o Moeraki kaikarakia Justin Tipa, of Christchurch, project manager Michael Forgie calling it "a pretty proud day for everyone".
"I just think it’s a fantastic community-led project," he said.
Construction began in January last year and the new rest-home would welcome its first residents on August 8, he said. Observatory Village Trust trustee and Observatory Village Care Ltd director Ian Hurst said the demand for a facility such as Observatory Village Lifecare had become clear over the past 18 months.
"What’s happened is the market is telling us we need more rest-homes and beds and we need more independent apartments," Mr Hurst said.
Discussions were under way to expand the original 2ha site, which comprises a 1000sq m apartment building, a 1700sq m 41-bed care facility and a 1000sqm community wing. Also, a neighbouring 5ha block could one day accommodate "70-odd villas".
Five were under construction and there were plans for another 13 to be built soon, Mr Forgie said.
Mr Hurst, who is involved in the ownership and management of six facilities across New Zealand, said he had "a very good feeling about this place".
Because the Observatory Village Trust passed its profits on to Waitaki District Health Services, which was Waitaki District Council-owned, the rest-home was "really a district-owned facility", and it appeared poised to be a successful business, Mr Hurst said.
Observatory Village Lifecare general manager Rosie Dwyer, at present general manager of Rendell on Reed, said 84 applicants were interviewed for positions at Observatory Village Lifecare.
About 85% of the 45 staff at Rendell on Reed had secured roles at the new facility and so the "lovely thing" was many staff would know the residents "and the residents know them". Observatory Village Lifecare was "more spacious" and as the buildings were all connected, she thought it would have "a greater sense of community and family".
