By Dave Laurence dave.laurence@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
Ozanam Villa's days are numbered.
The Koromiko Rd facility ? four bedrooms and the Prince Edward annexe ? is for sale.
Usage has fallen off to the point where it is no longer viable.
The villa, adjoining Wanganui Hospital, provides comfortable low-cost accommodation for families of patients. Opened in December
1978, the villa is run by a trust relying heavily on donations and voluntary input.
Liquidator Steve Vautier, formerly the trust board chairman, said yesterday the writing was on the wall a couple of years ago.
"Ten years ago we were doing over 1000 bed nights per annum, which made it viable," he said.
"For various reasons it has dwindled, and last year it was under 300. So the cost-effectiveness has vanished."
Mr Vautier said contributory factors included Winz accommodation supplements and the availability of motels and the Mauri Ora block.
"Fundraising efforts were becoming quite onerous. Over the years it was a huge amount? and various other trusts were generous."
He understood good interest had been shown in the site since a sale sign appeared just before Christmas. It was on the market for $325,000 and the net return would be shared equally among the Cancer Society, Heart Foundation and Hospice Wanganui.
The property initially was offered to the Cancer Society. It was interested but could not come up with the money. Mr Vautier said Ozanam Villa's role in providing quality accommodation adjacent to the hospital had been greatly appreciated by visitors from throughout New Zealand, particularly the wider Wanganui region, and other countries.
Factors in Ozanam's declining patronage include a faster patient turn-round at hospital and increased emphasis on services out in the community.
