Knowing Methven House would one day no longer be able to provide services to meet the needs of its elderlyresidents, proactive members of the community formed the Methven Care Trust to raise funds to build a new complex.
Methven Care Trust had planned to build a new facility in Camrose Estate on gifted land. However, rising building costs, constraints on development and a lengthening timeline to complete a full build lead them to explore other options.
The Trust has acquired what is currently called The Crossroads Lodge and separate apartments next door, with the intention of transforming the two buildings into new levels of care for residents.
This option meant they weren’t starting from scratch.
It has long been the Trust’s objective to enable Methven to look after its own, so that people can spend their retirement years within their own community.
The town’s steady growth has made this even more feasible, but a new solution was required.
Methven Care Trust chair Janine Holland said it is an exciting development for Methven.
‘‘We have operated aged care out of Methven House for many years and our former maternity hospital has served the community tremendously well.
‘‘However, due to an everchanging regulatory environment and evolving residents’ needs, it’s time to move into modern premises
“The Trust has been able to make this purchase using funds raised to date, assistance from Advance Ashburton (who administer the former Lochhead Charitable Trust funds) as well as support from private donors. However, we will be looking for assistance to retrofit the building to make it appropriate for aged care.
‘‘We know there is a lot of support and we are excited about reactivating fundraising to enable us to open for business within two years,” Janine said.
The plan is to create up to 20 care rooms in the main Crossroads building, including spacious and ensuite options.
There will also be six two-bedroom apartments in a separate block which will be repurposed for independent retirement living.
A lot of work had been going on behind the scene but “the development of the new Methven Care complex is expected to take a couple of years. The service needs to be operating as soon as possible to replace the current facility Methven House,” Janine said.
Methven Care Trust will work closely with the Methven Aged Persons Welfare Association, (MAPWAI) which operates Methven House, on the operational needs for the new facility.
“It is a joint mission of MAPWAI and Methven Care Trust that we work together to achieve a new resthome for Methven,” Janine said.
The work is complete on the building next to the main complex of the former lodge and these apartments are nearly ready for the market.
The Trust wants to hold an open day over winter so people can tour the apartments if they are looking for a retirement living option and see the design of the new rest-home.
‘‘However firm applications for the apartments cannot be accepted until we apply for registration under the Retirement Villages Act 2003, which will occur over the coming months,’’ Janine said.
‘‘The apartments will be sold as ‘licence to occupy’ units to generate funds to support the renovation of the rest-home.’’
