R & B Property Group managing director Ray Cook and St John acting territory manager Janeen Whitmore at the site of new St John ambulance hub in Rotorua pictured last year. Photo / Andrew Warner
R & B Property Group managing director Ray Cook and St John acting territory manager Janeen Whitmore at the site of new St John ambulance hub in Rotorua pictured last year. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rotorua's new multimillion-dollar St John Ambulance hub has reached another milestone with consent approved for the interior fit-out.
The four industrial units on the site were also now fully tenanted.
The Rotorua Lakes Council approved a $1.2m consent for the fit-out of the new ambulance hub on Te Ngae Rdlast month.
It was one of 94 building consents worth about $19m issued in February.
R & B Property Group managing director Ray Cook said the latest consent was for the fit-out of the new building.
"The roof is on, the internal framing has started. We've also been working on the site works. The emergency crossing lights have been installed on Te Ngae Rd but aren't operational yet."
The site has been subdivided into two developments - the St John Ambulance hub and four 500sq m industrial units that were now all tenanted.
Cook said Wide Open NZ had bought one unit, TransDiesel Rotorua had leased two of the units and the final unit had been sold to an investor.
"It's been an exciting and interesting project. I think it's a fantastic opportunity for Rotorua not only creating employment but an ongoing asset that's well needed for Rotorua."
Cook said the total cost of the land and building was just under $10m.
St John territory manager at the Lakes George Clicquot said it was a "great milestone" in what has been a long journey for the St John Rotorua frontline ambulance staff.
Clicquot said the staff were currently operating out of an "old" and "rundown" building.
"This modern and innovative building is custom-built and means we can focus on ambulance operations and optimising patient care with much-improved rest areas for staff, appropriate garaging and modern training facilities.
The new St John Ambulance station being built on Te Ngae Rd. Photo/ Andrew Warner.
"As the service grows to meet the ever-increasing demands of Rotorua and its surrounding area, we need to future-proof ourselves and ensure we are able to meet the long-term needs of the community."
Clicquot said the site will operate as a base for the emergency ambulance service with appropriate areas to house emergency equipment and for staff to quickly access essential medical stores.
Management and administrative functions will also operate out of the facility.
"This is the first step in providing the Rotorua community with the best possible service and locate times," he said.
"We are currently evaluating a property in Fairy Springs to operate as an additional response point, further improving our response times to those patients with the greatest need."
The project is expected to be completed by mid-November.
