The project, which began in 2018, has been beset with delays and budget blowouts as a result of Covid-19, supply-chain disruptions, labour shortages and substantial escalation in construction and material costs across the industry.
The university’s acting director of property and campus development Gordon Roy said over this period some scope changes were required to adapt to changes in occupants, increased future use and to ensure the building met the specialised requirements of a modern medical and health research facility.
It was on track for a September opening, he said.
‘‘The new building will allow the Christchurch campus to grow, including being able to accommodate more postgraduate health students and potentially ... students from other courses.
‘‘The project is the largest the university has undertaken.’’
The University Council approved the project in 2018 with initial site work beginning in late 2021 and the main building works starting in June 2023.
When the project was first approved, the university set aside a budget of $180m.
This was revised, over time, to $280m and Mr Roy said the estimated cost to completion included contingencies of $12m.
‘‘As the project is now in its final stages and the remaining work is well defined, there are no expectations of further cost increases.’’
One of the key challenges was the size and complexity of the building and the fact it was constructed on a constrained site, Mr Roy said.
‘‘This complexity has driven the need for detailed modelling and co-ordination which has pushed the boundaries of market capability.
‘‘Wai-Ora is not a standard commercial building.
‘‘It is a highly technical, research-led facility incorporating advanced laboratories, specialist clinical research spaces, simulation environments and sustainable building systems that are designed to support health research and education for decades to come.’’
Large, complex projects like Wai-Ora reinforced the importance of robust planning, strong governance and maintaining flexibility in response to rapidly changing market conditions, Mr Roy said.
‘‘These lessons will continue to inform how the University plans and delivers future major infrastructure projects.’’
The building had been designed to support collaboration between disciplines and the wider health sector, it was a key anchor building within Te Para Hauora Christchurch Health Precinct, he said.
The new Wai-Ora Simulation Centre will have a six-bed ward (an improvement on the two beds in the current facility) and four consult rooms (up from just one).
‘‘There are several aspects of the project the University is particularly proud of,’’ Mr Roy said.
‘‘First and foremost, it is noteworthy that the project is the largest the university has ever undertaken.
‘‘It is a significant positive asset to not only the University of Otago, but the city of Christchurch.’’
At this week’s university finance committee meeting, the project was discussed in public excluded ‘‘to enable free and frank discussion about commercial business information and contractual obligations’’, Mr Roy said.
