Thursday, 12 August 2004
Southland Hospital Blessed
Southland District Health Board marked a significant milestone of the $70million Southland Hospital Redevelopment
Project at 6.00am Thursday 12 August 2004 with the offical blessing of Southland's new hospital facility.
The Blessing was led by Ngai Tahu and more than 30 local Ministers from several denominations. Approximately 200 people
participated in the blessing, including staff from Southland Hospital, SDHB management, Board members, Fletcher Arrow
Joint Venture construction representatives and local manawhenua.
Six groups simultaneously blessed sections of the hospital, covering approximately 20,000 square metres of floor space
inside the new building.
SDHB Chief Executive Officer Dr Gershu Paul said the Blessing was a moving occasion, which marked the significance of
the building to the Southland people.
An official opening ceremony is to take place on 2 September 2004 and all hospital services will move into the hospital
by early November 2004.
ENDS