The St John Cromwell ambulance station was officially opened today, ushering in a new level of emergency support for the region.

The distinctive yellow doors opened today on the new ambulance station at Cromwell.

Chair of the Project Governance Group for St John and Cromwell Area Committee chair Robert Miller, says the new station has future-proofed the service St John provides to the region. 

“Not only is this an ambulance station, we are here to celebrate the opening of an asset that will benefit the community for many years and many generations to come.

“The building will provide a safe, secure and healthy work environment for all who work here.

“Aside from the emergency ambulance service, the building will be used to provide community first aid, tele-care, caring caller, therapy pets and a signature health shuttle service.”

This therapy pet was part of the celebrations.

Robert says the building was designed to IL4 standards, meaning it will withstand a seismic event of magnitude 8.

“After such an event, this building is designed to provide support for Central Otago and the Southern Lakes district.”

Robert says he has been humbled by the journey to today’s opening. The building was made possible because of the efforts and fundraising of so many in the community. 

“The project received absolutely no government funding or support,” he says. 

“So how did we get here? Community spirit.”

As part of that community spirit, Robert talked about the community efforts, led by Rotary and Lions in Cromwell, with the house build known as Lot 47.

Robert also thanked the ‘formidable team’ that was the Cromwell Area Committee.

“A team that was a catalyst for change, they worked hard to get this project across the line.”

The old station in 2019 when the walls came tumbling down.

Chancellor of St John, John Whitehead, says the new ambulance station was a symbol of the partnership between St John and the community.

The generosity of volunteers, funders and community has made it possible to build a station that will withstand the demands of the alpine fault, he said, and serve as a rallying point in any time of crisis.

“I am truly grateful to you, one and all,” John says. 

“Our ambulance service here in Cromwell is a busy one and demand for its services will continue to grow.”

He says demand for ambulance services in Cromwell had grown over 40 percent in the space of just two years, with almost one third of all incidents critical or life-threatening.

The building allowed many community services, including the health shuttle, youth activities and therapy pets to be together under one roof.

“We are seeking to make what we do driven much more by the needs in our communities.”

The Chancellor acknowledged they hadn’t always got it right through the process and these were learnings that others will benefit from in the future, he said.

“Thank you (everyone) for staying the course with us right through to today,” John says. 

“This station being opened today is a symbol of that community spirit, something I have been very privileged to witness.” 

Project manager for Breen Construction Phillip Cheney then officially gifted the new station to the Order of St John. Chancellor John Whitehead officially received it, the station was dedicated and the ribbon cut.

The new station in Cromwell is now officially open for business.

Images  Mary Hinsen