Ryman Healthcare secure Wanganui retirement site

Ryman Healthcare secure gem site for new Wanganui retirement village

The site of the former Sacred Heart College in Wanganui is to become a Ryman Healthcare retirement village.

Ryman, one of New Zealand’s most experienced retirement village providers, today confirmed they had bought the 2.7ha St Johns Hill site in one of the most prestigious areas of the city.

``This is a little gem of a site and is walking distance to the beautiful Lake Virginia reserve. We are thrilled to be able to secure it for the elderly of Wanganui,’’ Ryman managing director Kevin Hickman said today.

``What’s more, we’re happy to announce we will retain and protect the old Gothic style chapel, which is a wonderful heritage building which holds special significance for the city.’’

The chapel was designed by Swan and Swan of Wellington and built by Campbell and Burke of Wellington in 1918.

The former Sacred Heart site will include independent and assisted living apartments and a village recreation centre. Ryman will provide resthome and hospital bed facilities, subject to Wanganui District Health Board licensing approval.

Up to 150 residents will be accommodated on the site, formerly owned by the Institute of Sisters of St Joseph of Nazareth Trust Board, when the village is completed. Planning will begin shortly.

Ryman is an NZSX50 company and last November reported a half yearly net profit of $8.4 million – up 10 percent on last year.

It operates 13 retirement villages from Auckland to Invercargill and the company provide homes and care services to more than 2200 New Zealanders, employing more than 1100 staff. It has won the Australasian Aged Care Housing Award for the Best Retirement Village in New Zealand for three successive years.

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