By Tim Scott, Otago Daily Times
Oamaru House, Dunedin. Photo: Google Maps
A Dunedin hospital patient accommodation building earmarked for demolition is in such a poor condition it is "beyond economical repair", Foodstuffs says.
The supermarket giant said its planned demolition of Oamaru House, at 95 Hanover St, to add "much-needed" car parking at New World Centre City was a decision that had not been taken lightly.
It announced last month it had lodged applications with the Dunedin City Council for building permits to demolish the building, as well as another structure at 121 Great King St.
Operated by the Oamaru House Trust, the volunteer-run facility provides affordable accommodation for patients and their families, particularly those based rurally.
Its lease is due to be terminated on 31 October.
A Foodstuffs South Island spokesperson said it understood Oamaru House held a special place in the community and some people would be disappointed to see it go.
As the landlord, it had a responsibility to ensure the spaces it managed were of a reasonable standard for people to live in, the spokesperson said.
"A recent building survey unfortunately confirmed that Oamaru House was in particularly poor condition and was beyond economical repair.
"That assessment, along with the fact that two floors have remained vacant for over a year, reinforced our decision not to renew leases and to proceed with plans for its removal.
"We truly appreciate the community's connection to this site and hope people will understand why we had to make this difficult decision."
The spokesperson did not confirm how many carparks the demolition of Oamaru House was expected to generate.
Murray Radka, 77, of Alexandra, said he was "appalled" Foodstuffs planned to demolish the site for additional carparks.
"What a huge difference it's going to make for thousands of sick people from out of Dunedin who are going to have to make other arrangements."
Radka said he had travelled to Dunedin hospital for treatments, including for permanent lung issues, an aneurysm in a carotid artery, prostate cancer, and a rheumatoid arthritic condition - and more recently a hernia surgery.
He was often not strong enough to walk long distances unassisted, so relied on his wife, who had mobility problems of her own.
If Oamaru House did end up relocating, he could not think of any other site in the vicinity of Dunedin hospital that was as convenient as the current premises.
Before he started staying there, Radka said he would book Airbnbs or other private accommodation.
But these could be quite a way out of Dunedin and lacked the support services Oamaru House offered, he said.
"You can't put a value on a facility like this, and to think that it will be replaced by a few carparks which I think are going to make very little difference to the operation of Foodstuffs."
Oamaru House Trust chairman Tony Caldwell said while the decision was disappointing, Foodstuffs had treated the trust well and he did not begrudge them for it.
The trust was given notice on 13 May.
Unless a "very big benefactor" came along, the trust was not in a position to lease or buy another building, Caldwell said.
"In all probability, if we'd found another building, it would have required a reasonably significant refit or fit out or improvements made to bring it up to standards, of which we didn't have the finances to be able to do that."
- This story was first published by the Otago Daily Times
