KATE NEWTON
A major new retirement village is in the pipeline for Napier, in the wake of Guardian Health Care buying a large block of industrial land at Ahuriri.
The 1ha block on Riddell Street is currently being used by Wrightsons as a woolstore and is near the already established Princess Alexandra
rest home.
Guardian Health Care has what it calls "multimillion-dollar" plans to develop 100 independent village units and a 10-20 bed hospital complex on the site.
Guardian Health Care's chief executive, Dwayne Crombie, said the company already had a retirement home, Gladys Mary, in Tamatea.
"Napier is certainly a desirable, vibrant city and we look forward to helping more people enjoy their independence and the lifestyle opportunities in their retirement years," Mr Crombie said.
"We are excited about being part of the regeneration of this residential and retail area of Napier and we expect to build in keeping with the local environment and history."
The retirement home will be developed in stages over the next two to three years.
Guardian Health Care has 46 rest home and hospital facilities, 14 residential villages and 12,500 personal medical-alarm customers throughout New Zealand.
The development is the third major retirement facility for Hawke's Bay to be announced in four months.
A 369-unit village is planned for Havelock North, with work to begin in May next year, while a 26-unit block of retirement flats is to be added to the Summerset Retirement Village in Napier.
A growing demand for such facilities is expected in the region; in the next 10 years the number of people aged 65 and over in New Zealand will increase from 14 per cent of the population to 18 per cent.
