Heart of Summerset retirement village takes shape

Health professionals, Rodney board member June Turner and media were last month given an opportunity to view a major new building under construction at the Summerset Falls retirement village in Warkworth.

Marketing and sales general manager Tristan Saunders says that the new building will form ‘the heart’ of the village and will include a bar and café, theatre area, gym, library, hair dressing salon, administration offices and apartments, including two care apartments. An outdoor bowling green is being developed alongside the building.

A 40-bed aged facility providing hospital-level care, with respite care options, will also be a key component to the main building on completion.

Work is expected to be finished in the second half of this year.

Chief executive Norah Barlow says construction of the new building shows the village is really becoming a community.

The second stage of development also includes 10 cottages and 14 riverside villas, which are being progressively occupied.

The Summerset village represents a $70 million investment in Warkworth, which when finished will comprise more than 120 homes and employ between 25 to 30 staff.

Summerset is the second largest developer and third largest retirement village operator in NZ, catering for more than 2000 residents in 14 villages.

Warkworth is one of four currently under construction.