$21.5m invested in spa developments
Builds grow Rotorua’s aspirations as a wellness destination
Rotorua’s reputation as an international destination for chilling out in hot water is about to get a $21.5 million investment injection. Building consents have been granted for two commercial spa developments on the geothermal city’s lakefront, which is also undergoing a makeover.
Consent applications
have
been
approved for work worth $13.5m for a new build at Rotorua’s iconic QE Health and work totalling $8m for foundations and drainage for the new Wai Ariki development.
The projects were among $34,961,303 worth of residential and commercial building consents signed off by the Rotorua Lakes Council in March.
QE Health chief executive Dr Aaron Randell said the company was “thrilled” its building consent for the new wellness centre had been confirmed.
“It is a significant milestone for us, the project and the community. We are really excited about the next phase of this development and look forward to sharing more detail once our building timelines are confirmed.”
QE Health is building a $14.5m, 300sq m state-of-the-art facility next door to its existing building on land owned by the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust, near the intersection of Whakaue and Hinemaru Streets.
The Provincial Growth Fund has provided $1.5m grant towards the development, which is expected to employ between 30 and 50 people in the construction period.
Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust has also committed $1m to the construction project, along with a loan of $2m.
According to information on its website, as of June QE Health expected to open the new facility by the end of this year.
QE Health offers rheumatology, physiotherapy, psychology, orthotics, dietetics, occupational therapy, osteopathy, appearance medicine, gym services, rehabilitation therapy and spa treatments.
The brand new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa on Whakaue St is the latest development by Pukeroa Oruawhata Group and will cost about $30m in total to build.
The Pukeroa Oruawhata Group was
approached for comment about the consents.
Randell has previously said QE Health’s clinically focused services would compliment Wai Ariki’s hot spring and spa offerings, together building on Rotorua’s reputation as a wellness destination.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said it was “fantastic” to see these “exciting” developments progressing on the city’s lakefront.
“Major projects like the new facility for the city’s much-loved QE Health and Ngati Whakaue’s Wai Ariki Hot
As progress on these projects becomes more visible, we will hopefully see a ripple effect in terms of
economic confidence that could prompt others to also proceed with planned investment or developments.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick