St John Ambulance Service staff based in Central Hawke's Bay finally have a place to call their own after a specially designed ambulance station and training centre was officially opened in Waipukurau last month.
"It's really brought St John back into view, and lifted our profile being back in town," ambulance
team leader Tony King said.
Prior to the move, St John was based all over the place.
"We were at the Waipukurau Hospital until it closed [in 2000], then at the old Fire Station officers house until they started their renovations and we moved to a rental property in Porangahau Rd for a year while our new station was being built."
Previously the seven permanent St John staff and 13 volunteers had to make do wherever they were placed, and ambulances were just parked outside.
"It's definitely made things a lot easier having a purpose-built area to house the ambulances and the facilities are obviously much improved."
The St John Hawke's Bay Area Committee headed by Chairman Anne Reese and Treasurer Roger Sinclair funded the project and purchased land for the new building in Russell St in December 2009.
MSM Architects from Hamilton drew up plans and Waipukurau Construction got to work building the new station in July last year.
By the end of January this year St John were able to move into their new premises. "It's something we have been waiting for, for a long time," Mr King said.
It is hoped public first aid courses will start up in the training room as soon as there is a public interest and that the St John Youth programme will return to CHB in future.
An opening ceremony was held last month attended by senior St John Order Members, local MPs Craig Foss and John Hayes, and CHB Mayor Peter Butler. St John Chaplain, Reverend Pelly Pirikahu blessed the building and it was officially opened by Knight of the Order Bryce Jones on behalf of the St John Chancellor who was unable to attend.
A new ambulance which was meant to have been dedicated was called out to an emergency just as the ceremony began.
