Business South November 2021

| 91 COMMUNITY Cancer Society - Christchurch Comfortable and pleasant environment Construction is about to start on the Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast Division’s new patient accommodation and support services building. T en years after the Christchurch earth- quake, the Cancer Society’s Canter- bury-West Coast (CWC) Division is thrilled that construction is about to start on their new patient accommodation and support services building to replace what was destroyed in 2011. A game changer for this project was secur- ing $6.5 million from the New Zealand Gov- ernment Shovel Ready Project Initiative fund. “That’s what gave us the confidence and incentive to proceed,” says Elizabeth Chester- man, Chief Executive of the Cancer Society’s CWC Division. “We are very much looking forward to moving into our new complex in early 2023.” The Crown funding, combined with in- surance money and 10 years of fundraising activity, will cover a major proportion of the more than $20 million project cost. With construction due to start shortly (November 2021), the charity also plans to launch a fund- raising campaign in the near future to support the project’s ongoing goals of providing the most comfortable and pleasant environment possible for patients from across the South Island, as well as a Cancer Centre for the Christchurch community. Award winning Christchurch architects Wilson & Hill have created a beautiful design for this new Cancer Society CWC building at 74 Langdons Rd in Papanui. The front entrance, featuring a large timber canopy, leads through to a spacious administration and communi- ty services hub where natural wood tones and neutral decor will contribute a restful ambience. To the right are two connected three-storey patient accommodation wings with two kitchens, shared lounges and dining rooms on each floor. Units will be generously glazed to make the most of sun and outlook. A mix of single and double units - some with interlocking doors – will meet the needs of patients staying on their own, or with a carer or whānau family members. “We wanted to provide communal space but also opportunity for people to be as private as they choose to be,” says Liz. “We have done this before so we know how people’s needs alter during the course of their stay. The units are going to be like Kim Newth personalised hotel rooms with TV, tea and coffee facilities, fridge and storage space to give people that flexibility to eat in their room if they would rather not be in the common dining room. I think we’ve created a really good balance.” The site itself covers almost 6000sqm, with plenty of room for landscaping and carparks - 75 in total, plus a dozen cycle parks. Out of town patients and Christchurch locals alike will not struggle to find a carpark or local bus route. Community services onsite will include a resource library and various cancer support group and face to face services, as well as providing a base for CWC divisional adminis- tration. Since losing their Christchurch CBD facilities in the 2011 earthquake, the Cancer Society’s CWC Division has been providing patient accommodation out of its separate motel sites in Papanui and Riccarton, with overflow requests accommodated in private motels. These facilities are not purpose built and having two locations also creates a logistical burden. “Having everything on one site – and with more beds - will be so much easier for every- one.” Once the new building is complete, patients will be able to easily access a wide range of local community amenities such as shopping malls, movie theatres, restaurants, public swimming pool and library. Getting to treat- ment will be simple via the Cancer Society’s free hospital shuttle service. “We’ve done the hard yards over the past 10 years, so it is quite exciting that we will soon have all our staff and services in one building – it will be a real one-stop cancer shop.” “The units are going to be like personalised hotel rooms with TV, tea and coffee facilities, fridge and storage space to give people that flexibility to eat in their room if they would rather not be in the common dining room.” T: 03 366 1777 • E: engineering@pfc.co.nz • W: www.pfc.co.nz Structural • Mechanical • Electrical Fire • Civil • Hydraulic • Acoustic Powell Fenwick is proud to have provided engineering services for the Cancer Society Christchurch Level 2, ASBHouse The Crossing, 166 Cashel St POBox 3964 Christchurch 8140 T /64 3 379 3663 E /info@wilsonandhill.co.nz wilsonandhill.co.nz We are proud to assist the Cancer Society NZ Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Put yourself in front of potential clients DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST?