Resident Rupert Gamlen can proudly say he was the first person to swim in the brand new pool at Miriam Corban Retirement Village.

This was just one of many firsts achieved in the last week by residents excited to explore the beautiful new communal space on Henderson’s Lincoln Road.

For Jean Holster, who moved into her apartment in November 2020, she almost felt like pinching herself.

“It’s like a dream come true!” she said.

The sentiment was echoed repeatedly as the village team, led by Village Manager Michelle Barnard, took groups of residents on tours to see the new café, movie theatre, games room, craft room, library, gym and lounge.

Village Manager Michelle Barnard gives out the hugs to resident Grace Sia on a tour of the new village centre, which was an emotional experience for some. 

Rupert Gamlen is first to take the plunge in the new pool

As well as the oohs and aahs, words like ‘amazing’, ‘beautiful’, ‘flash’, ‘classy’ and ‘fantastic’ were music to the ears of the Miriam Corban team.

There were yet more glowing compliments as residents took in the stunning views across to the city and Rangitoto Island from the top floor independent apartments, the beautiful ‘calming and restful’ colour schemes used throughout and the thoughtful design features of the special care unit.

New care centre resident Arthur Penney receives a warm welcome from Clinical Manager PK Karan (above) while residents learn the moves of Triple A with Amy Walker in the new activity room (below).

Keri Edley, who leads the village’s dance group, was one of the first to use the spacious new café and said it was an emotional experience to walk through the building.

“I actually feel like crying!” she said. “It’s so beautiful.”

Arthur Penney became the first care centre resident to move in, transferring over from his independent apartment with help from his daughter Selina.

It was an emotional day for him too, as it would have been his 57^th wedding anniversary with his late wife Val.

The first serviced apartment resident was Shirley Grinlinton, who moved up from Ryman’s Hilda Ross Village in Hamilton.

Happy residents at Happy Hour - friends Chip Eade and Sheena Wilson are loving the new space (above) and a heartwarming reunion with residents Rae Nightingale and Bernadette Boyd-Bell as Hayley Murray-MacGregor returns to Miriam Corban.

Other firsts included the first tai chi class and Triple A session in the activity room, the first gathering of the men’s group and the first Happy Hour, complete with Air New Zealand staff on hand to help serve nibbles.

One of them, Hayley Murray-Macgregor, who had worked at Miriam Corban during the pandemic when flights were grounded, managed to squeeze in a few hugs with residents she had got to know well during that time.

The music played, the food and drinks flowed, and the sound of chatter and laughter rang out as happy residents enjoyed their new space and looked forward to many fun nights to come.

The whole Miriam Corban team gather inside and outside for group photos before welcoming residents into the building for the first time.