Media Release – For immediate release February 5, 2010

Lodge Construction Underway

The first stages of construction are underway as the new Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge takes shape.

Once completed the new lodge on Tainui St, Hamilton, will provide free accommodation and meals to around 600 people from around the region per year while they receive treatment for cancer at Waikato Hospital.

Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society chief executive Judy Gould says the project is the biggest in the organisation’s history and means more people can make use of the society’s support services.

“The Lions Lodge is a wonderful place which goes a long way towards supporting those in our community affected by cancer. Our new lodge will benefit and support even more people at what can be an emotional and stressful time.”

The new Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge, at the site of the former Braemar Hospital, will have an increase in bedrooms to 50 plus 5 family units, as well as IT facilities and activity, therapeutic massage and meeting rooms, a library and lounges overlooking the Hamilton Lake. The new Lodge will also allow expansion in the society’s support services and health promotion activities.

Mrs. Gould says the new facility will be an asset to the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. “The lodge will be more than just an accommodation facility – it will be a place where people who are going through similar experiences can support and learn from each other in a unique environment.”

Watts and Hughes Construction Waikato/Bay of Plenty placed the successful tender for the construction which began in January and is expected to be completed in December 2010. Stage one, the renovation of the existing part of the building, is expected to be complete by the end of September 2010 and stage two, the new build, is expected to be complete December 2010.

People can learn more about the building and concurrent fundraising campaign at www.cancersociety.org.nz or by contacting the Cancer Society on 0800 22 77 44 or emailing admin@cancersociety.org.nz.

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