With views over the main street of Methven, large spacious rooms, colourful gardens, a warm inviting lounge residents of Methven Central Care Home will indeed feel at home.
The Methven Care Trust facility was opened on Monday, just in time for residents to move in next week and be home for Christmas.
The new home has been a long time coming.
A trust was formed 11 years since ago to bring a new resthome to Methven, replacing Methven House which opened in 1977.
Current residents of Methven House, family and staff joined the trustees, invited guests and funders along with the community to the opening.
Pupils of Methven Primary School began proceedings with two waiata including the schools own.
Anglican reverend Sage Burke lead the karakia’s farewelling the Methven House before blessing the new facility and all those who live, work and visit it.
Trust chairperson, and emcee, Jan Anderson outlined the process it had taken to get to opening the facility.
Anderson said that it was a beautiful modern facility.
‘‘It’s a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose.
‘‘Methven Care Trust had one goal, to ensure our older residents can continue to live in the place they call home surrounded by the people and landscape they love,’’ Anderson said.
She joined Rangitata MP James Meager, Ashburton Mayor Liz Member, trustee Janine Holland and former chair Jo Suyker and to cut the ribbon declaring the home open.
In 2014, Lochhead Charitable Trust gave a piece of land in the Camrose subdivision, but initial forecasts estimated the need to raise up to $11 million to compete the construction project.
The trust decided not to undertake a new build instead purchasing the former ‘‘The Lodge’’ in December 2022. The trust received grants from funders, along with substantial gifts from two members of the Methven community.
The complex consists of five serviced apartments and 15 care home suites alongside six apartments. Methven House has a 14-bed capacity.
Along with a well thought out interior with pops of colour in small gardens outside of residents rooms, an outdoor area enables residents to keep connected with the community with views to the centre of Methven.
In October, Methven House resident, Audrey Lilley at 101-years -old took up a challenge to raise $101,000, the last of the funds needed to complete the nearly $5million it cost to bring Methven Central to life.
Audrey set out to walk 101 laps of Methven House over four weeks while encouraging others to get on board. The final outcome raised $125,520 for the new care facility.
Trust member spokesperson Mandy Mee said in a statement that the support for Audrey’s 101 challenge has brought together a vision that’s been 11 years in the making.
‘‘Audrey 101 has rekindled our shared pride and purpose, bringing us together to offer a place of care, modern comfort and community for residents today and the generations to come,’’ Mee said.
