Residents and team members recently applauded a ground floor refurbishment at Rita Angus Retirement Village – with the new portico and reception area highlighting a project led by the Ryman property team.
Village Manager, of the Wellington village, Chris Mulder, said the launch of this stage would not have been complete without some special village celebrations, with bubbles, after afternoon tea and a chat providing a great chance to reflect on the work completed to date.
The event gave the Ryman property team a chance to update residents about some of the work still to come. Mulder and the team then took those who were interested on a special tour of the new work, including the grand entrance.
Mulder said the reception area was looking stunning and that residents were enjoying being given full access to see the quality of the work. They were full of positive comments about a freshened-up village entrance and looked forward to being able to meet and greet their loved ones and visitors in the area.
Dennis Friend, one of the village's earliest move-ins, cut the ribbon before Mulder thanked the residents for their patience and good humour during the build process. The emphasis then turned towards the refreshed areas, and the detail of areas the property and facilities team have been working on.
Mulder thanked those involved in the planning and construction of the refurbished area, as well, of course, the residents for their support and patience during the build.
There is a focus on indoor-outdoor flow. The refurbished portico - with additional lighting – enables residents and visitors to transition from the outdoors into a sheltered entranceway. This is handy for those arriving by taxi, or dropping something off into the beautifully refurbished reception area, which features new tiling and an inlaid carpet.
National Property Project Manager Ed Griffiths said there was plenty to celebrate.
“It’s got a new look, modern tiles with a carpet inlay, also there’s a new look reception counter and wall behind it,” said Griffiths.
The area behind the front desk, where the Ryman team, including Jason Browne and John Beuth, has introduced exciting changes, including a reconfigured administration area and new village manager’s office.
Griffiths said this entrance stage would be followed by others, including a redesign of the village lounge on the first floor. This first-floor expansion was enabled by the build team taking some of the existing double-height ceiling cavity to include in the common area. This stage would also eventually include a new bar and some alterations to the dining and activities rooms.
Future work would also include a café, to be located near to the reception, new kitchen facilities, plus the refreshment of other components of the village centre.
“We’re just working our way through the building,” Griffiths said.
Project Manager Jason Browne said Capital Construction had been the main contractor used on the staged project, alongside a group of subcontractors, and he thanked these teams. Sales Advisor Judith Roberts thanked all the people who have worked hard on an amazing project.
“It has been a true team effort, and we are all very proud and impressed with the finished product. This new main entrance is more than just a physical structure. It is a symbol of Ryman’s commitment to continuing improvement. Rita Angus is a vibrant and welcoming community, and this new entrance and reception area is a reflection of that."
