Construction of a new Wanaka residential care complex will begin in September, as a joint venture between Wanaka's Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village and Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO).
Stage one of the large three-stage residential care complex is expected to cost $5 million. When it opens at the end of 2015, it will employ 35-40 staff, providing four levels of care, from registered nurses to caregivers and support staff.
It will be sited next to the Aspiring Medical Centre and will include 10 dementia and 18 rest-home and hospital rooms, plus Upper Clutha Hospice rooms.
PSO chief executive Gillian Bremner was ''delighted'' the organisation would be able to use its experience to provide dementia care in particular.
''We hold top level Ministry of Health certification status that proves we already provide a very high standard of care, and see this as a good opportunity to expand our services for older people in Upper Clutha.''
Village chief executive Aaron Armstrong was ''very pleased to have an operator of PSO's experience and reputation'' as a partner in the development.
Upper Clutha Hospice Trust chairman Russell McGeorge said the joint venture announcement made the trust's proposal for a Wanaka hospice facility a reality.
''We are most grateful to the joint venture partners for including hospice rooms in their plans and look forward to working with them.''
Further stages of the yet un-named home will be developed as demand requires.
