The Arrowtown Lifestyle Retirement Village, on a 12ha site in McDonnell Rd, beside The Hills golf course, is one of two new complexes in the Wakatipu designed to stem the exodus of elderly residents from the area.
The village opening, officiated by Mayor Jim Boult, included the unveiling of the interim Residents' Lodge, which hosts a lounge, club bar, social dining facilities, library and meeting room, gym and spa pool, along with community vegetable gardens, petanque facility and a putting green.
Mary May, among the village's current 23 residents, said it was ''fantastic'' to have a social hub in the village.
To recognise the ''pioneer'' residents, a painting of an Arrowtown streetscape by local artist David John was also unveiled last night.
Managing director Aaron Armstrong saidmore facilities, including a much larger community centre, would be added as the village grows.
The resource consent allows the village to build 120 villas, 75 apartments and a 100-bed residential aged-care facility.
Stage 1 will be completed by Christmas, while Stage 2 - 26 two- and three-bedroom villas - was also unveiled last night.
Sales manager Vicci Lawrence said 10 sites were already under offer after only 10 days.
