A significant and enduring partnership will help redefine aged care in the South
The Hawthorndale Care Village has signed an agreement with The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to build one of the 13 care homes in the proposed new village.
This is a significant financial contribution toward the construction of The Hawthorndale Care Village. SIT trades faculty staff and students will be responsible for the build and provide a sizeable proportion of the material costs for the home.
“Southland has a reputation of pulling together to get things done. This is a great example of that philosophy, and we are extremely fortunate to have an organisation such as SIT that is so connected to our community. We are humbled by their generous offer of assistance." said project team member Paddy O’Brien.
The partnership is one of mutual benefit, providing an invaluable learning experience for students on a commercial construction site with the guidance and support of the main contractor. SIT has four intakes of construction students throughout the year and it is envisaged the house will be built by at least two of the intake groups. In late 2019 SIT Council approved the agreement in principle and signed off the agreement in March 2020.
“SIT explored innovative ways to provide practical support for this visionary community project. The trades students will benefit from the real life, hands-on experience in the build phase, and the ongoing operation of the Village will continue to provide practical learning opportunities for many SIT students from nursing through to hospitality, says SIT Chief Executive Penny Simmonds.
The project is estimated to cost in total $31.5 million, with the former site of the Hawthorndale School on Tay Street, Invercargill secured for construction of the village. Concept design work is nearing completion and this will provide greater construction cost certainty. A significant amount of donations and grants have already been received since the fundraising campaign launched in October 2019, but a current shortfall of $11 million is still needed to see the project through to completion.
