Ryman Lynfield Times Summer edition 2018
Looking up! Construction at Lynfield is progressing rapidly
Meet Les
Introducing Michelle Garland
Joris relishes being at Ryman
Greetings from Lynfield... Hello and welcome to the latest Lynfield Ryman Times. With winter behind us, we are looking forward to a lovely warm summer. It is hard to believe that we’re approaching a year since moving into our sales offices next to the site and what a year it has been! We have had some fantastic events including a demonstration and informative talk on patio planting with Kings Plant Barn. Frances was able to lend a hand – although she didn’t look too keen to plant Kale anytime soon! We had a wonderful time with future residents and newcomers enjoying the talk. During November, our first residents will be moving in to their new homes. The excitement is really building, and we can’t wait to welcome them. Earthworks have started on our second apartment block and the foundations are underway.
The third independent apartment block is now released for sale – this apartment block is located on the rise and has some fantastic views so don’t hesitate to come and look at the plans. Please visit our office, located next to the site at 9 Commodore Drive, Lynfield, to look at the different stages, buildings, plans and care options available. Kind regards,
Frances Quirk Sales Advisor Ph: 09 627 2727 or 0800 555 118
Michelle Garland Sales Advisor Ph: 09 627 2727 or 0800 555 116
Ryman chefs take top prize At the recent New Zealand Hospitality Awards, our in-house Chefs; Steve Iraia and Paul Korunic, took the top two prizes. Steve has been the chef at Princess Alexandra village in Napier for 10 years. He was named the winner in the senior lifestyle section. Steve came second in last year’s competition. “I’m absolutely ecstatic, it was a bit like taking care of some unfinished business.” Both Steve and Paul’s classic recipes feature in Ryman Delicious menus. Paul, Chef at Anthony Wilding village in Christchurch for the last four years, was also pleased to go one better than last year. “We’ve got the two top positions in the
country, which is a brilliant result.’’ Steve and Paul had 75 minutes to cook meals for eight people consisting of four hoki loin dishes and four dishes featuring beef cheeks. Ryman Hotel Services Manager Andrew Gibson said he was proud of the chefs, as the dishes they prepared had to be practical and suitable for Ryman menus. Village chefs serve up more than 10,000 meals a day to our residents. Chefs prepare the food fresh on-site, with three main course choices, including a vegetarian option.
Ryman Lynfield Times | 2
Introducing Michelle Garland The similarities between Pukekohe and Lynfield may not be obvious to everyone but Michelle Garland says they’re the reasons why she’s looking forward to getting involved. Having spent a year working as a sales advisor at Ryman’s Possum Bourne village in Pukekohe, Michelle is now moving to Lynfield helping Frances Quirk to sell Lynfield’s independent and serviced apartments. “My daughter’s in-laws live in the area so I’ve already got a good sense of what a strong community it is here. “It’s actually very similar to the Pukekohe community. Everyone is so close knit and looks out for one another and I love that – I’m all about community and family!” Michelle was born in Pukekohe and raised in Mount Maunganui but returned to Pukekohe to begin her working life and raise her children. Before joining Ryman she worked as an account manager in the photography industry for 17 years, but now she can’t imagine working anywhere else. “I just love my job. Getting to meet people and hear their stories and where they’re at now is so
interesting and something that makes me feel quite honoured. “The other wonderful thing is the feeling of helping people at an important time in their lives,” she says. “I have been able to see with my own eyes what a wonderful impact it has on people when they move into a village and how it changes their lives for the better. “That really gets to me, I connect with that emotional side of it.” And speaking of emotions, with the first move-ins imminent at Lynfield, Michelle says she is joining at a particularly pertinent time. “I love the move-ins. The people are so excited and watching them see their apartments for the first time is really special.” As Ryman gets involved with so many community events Michelle is confident that it won’t take her long to settle in. “I’m really looking forward to meeting people and getting involved, it’s an exciting time all round!”
Ryman Lynfield Times | 3
Resident Profile
Meet Les opportunities to meet other people and to be more connected I guess. That’s what appeals to me.” Funnily enough, it was his involvement with the bowling club that initially alerted him to Ryman’s new village on Commodore Drive. “They started having their information presentations at the club and by that time with Bronwyn’s illness it was becoming obvious that I would soon be on my own. So I guess that’s what started the ball rolling and I started thinking about my options,” says the former factory manager. “The important issue for me was the location. I wanted to be near my family who live close to hand, and stay close to the bowling club so I can maintain all that socialising going on.
TThe h thing about the village is that there are opportunities to meet other people and to be more connected.
“I play three or four times a week, which I thoroughly enjoy – socially, mentally, and physically.”
Moving into a retirement village was the last thing Les Wilson had imagined himself doing.
A tour of Ryman’s Bert Sutcliffe village was what sealed the deal – for both him and his family.
He and his wife, Bronwyn, had built their house in Blockhouse Bay only six years ago and the couple were looking forward to many good years together there.
“What appealed to me was the size, the layout, the space, the general make-up of the apartment and everything the village had to offer. That included the palliative and hospital care, which was important to me after what my wife went through.
However, when Bronwyn became terminally ill and then passed away at the beginning of the year, Les soon began to rethink what the future might look like if he stayed there.
“My kids were a bit apprehensive, but we arranged for them to go over to Bert Sutcliffe as well and that turned them around!”
“I made the decision pretty quickly,” he says of his upcoming move to our Lynfield village. “This place is too big for me on my own and it’s the upkeep as well – I’ve had enough of the maintenance and everything that goes with it.” It wasn’t just the practical stuff though. Despite being close to his two children and four grandchildren and being a sociable and active member of the Blockhouse Bay Bowling Club, the prospect of going home to an empty house every night also contributed to his decision. “The thing about the village is that there are
And as Auckland is typically a small world, it was no surprise when Les bumped into some old rugby friends who are set to move into the same apartment building as him. “With what Ryman is providing the financial side of things made sense. It ticked all the boxes.” He couldn’t fault the sales team either, and when he called by to sign up it was just a matter of choosing which apartment he liked best. “Most of the questions were answered without me having to ask,” he laughs. “I didn’t have any real concerns, it just felt right.”
Ryman Lynfield Times | 4
RYMAN E H T
H E A LT H C A R E S E A S O
If you notice the Christmas decorations going up a bit earlier in our villages this year, it’s to celebrate our partnership with the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s season of The Nutcracker. We know our residents will enjoy being immersed in the whimsical story of the Nutcracker as our villages are transformed – think sugar plum fairies, gingerbread houses and toy soldiers. There will be a range of activities on offer – from appreciating Tchaikovsky’s beautiful
N OF
musical score, to having a go at making themed-decorations for display. The ballet will be touring throughout New Zealand, opening in Wellington on 31 October, and finishing in Auckland on 15 December.
Want to see a show near you? Contact Frances or Michelle for exclusive Ryman discounts on tickets!
Ryman Lynfield Times | 5
Builders gear up for first move-ins Lynfield Project Manager David McKearney says everything is tracking well for the first residents to move in towards the end of November, despite some hideous wet weather over the winter months.
m each keeping them away from other of course,” says Dave.
“The flow of work is pretty good, we’re at a good pace and we’re on schedule,” says Dave.
Dave says the team has reached the top floor of the care centre, which houses the resthome, hospital and dementia care g on centre, and are working est of its roof structure. The rest ilt up the the main building is built d will ill house h hill from the care centre and the communal areas such as the lounge, dining room, reception and serviced apartments.
The nine-level village centre which cascades down the hill has also shot up.
“But the weather has been dismal. We have had a lot of rain which can hinder things like roofing and waterproofing as it can slow things down.” The first independent apartment block, or Building 2 as it is referred to on site, has had the painters, tilers and showerfitters in during September as the interior fit-out really kicks into gear. “That’s a big step,” says Dave. “That’s the big drive towards the finish.” Getting the first independent block is always a really big job as services such as the water mains, power, data and fibre have to be connected as well. “A lot of equipment has to be fed from the main building facility as Ryman has a policy of having a generator on site in case of power outages so that all needs to be operational when we open Building 2.”
The on-site team is sometimes swelling to up to 300 workers to keep everything on schedule. The next independent apartment block, Building 3, which will be located next to the first block of apartments, has also been started. The piling for the retaining walls has been done and excavations started at the beginning of September.
Another important issue is traffic management as one side of the Commodore Drive entrance will need to be set up for only residents to use.
Next on the list, says Dave, is Building 4, which is the block of independent apartments on the other side of the bowling green by the village centre. The upper levels of this block will have great views looking south.
“We’re planning traffic movements now and it’s all about separating residents’ vehicles and construction vehicles and
“It’s really rewarding for me and all the guys to see the fruits of our labour come to life and very satisfying.”
Ryman Lynfield Times | 6
Ryman Lynfield Times | 7
Staff Profile
Introducing Joris
I’m really excited to be part of this project and proud too. It’s really cool! As one of the newest members of the 200+ construction team, Health & Safety Coordinator Joris Bolijn is chuffed to be playing his part to create beautiful homes for Lynfield’s retirees. “I believed in Ryman’s philosophy of providing quality care for older people prior to working for them, but didn’t realise they did the construction side of things so extensively too. “It’s a great learning environment and I’ve been really impressed with all the training and Ryman’s strong focus on health and safety.” Joris says he tries to walk around the whole site at least once a day between scheduled inductions and regular on-site meetings, and says the rest of the time is spent prioritising risk.
Upcoming events October
25
November
15
December
13
Arthritis Foundation presentation
Introduction to Triple A
Road Safety presentation with Age Concern
“People knock on the door quite regularly and some days you might get a whole bunch of things that need to be dealt with immediately and then on other days it’s quiet.” Having driven past Ryman’s Greenlane site for several years, Joris can’t wait to see how the Lynfield site progresses. “I’m really excited to be part of this project, and proud too. It’s really cool!”
9 Commodore Drive, Lynfield
09 627 2727 www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz