Ronald McDonald House Wellington - Accommodation

Client:          Ronald McDonald House Wellington Trust

Project Brief

Mainzeal is building the new Ronald McDonald House in Wellington. The nature of the project means everyone involved is firmly wrapped up in the cause.
Ronald McDonald House Wellington is a ‘home-away-from-home’ for families of children receiving medical treatment in Wellington. The key philosophies that underpin the House are that children respond better to treatment when their families are close and the families staying in the House are a great source of mutual care and support for each other.
Ronald McDonald House is a registered charitable trust run by a board of Trustees, a small number of paid staff and lots of volunteers.
The Trust wanted to build a bigger House so that they could accommodate a growing number of families and ensure that they never had to turn anyone away. They purchased the land adjacent to the existing house, just a short walk from Wellington Hospital.
Built in 1991, the existing Ronald McDonald House accommodated 12 families of children receiving treatment at Wellington Hospital. The building was plagued with leaky building issues and it was determined that the most cost effective option was to start from scratch rather than repair and extend. The new, bigger House will allow the Trust to accommodate up to 34 families at any one time.
Mainzeal was selected as main contractor for the project following a P&G and Margin tender where non-price attributes such as team, track record, and effective management systems were considered.
Chief Executive Lesley Slieker said that the Trust was impressed by Mainzeal’s commitment to the project. ‘We are very passionate about the House and we needed everyone to be emotionally involved. Mainzeal showed us that they understood what we were about and were committed to helping us achieve the results we wanted’, said Ms Slieker.
The Ronald McDonald House Wellington Trust pushed the green light for the project to commence before they had secured the full funding because they knew that having the building underway was the best way to show they were serious about the new House. The site hoarding was appropriately decorated and is doing its part in promoting the House and helping the Trust reach a wide audience. Flexibility to handle the charity aspect of the House is an important aspect of Mainzeal’s role. From time to time the site team get notice that a new supplier or contributor has been secured and a new product will be introduced to the project. For quite a while there was a rumour that 100 teddy bears were to be buried in the foundations – as it turns out – the rumour was unfounded. Mainzeal’s team work with the consultants and the Trust to accommodate each change as it arises while keeping the overall project moving forward smoothly.
The ground level of the new House includes the reception and staff administration spaces as well as some community rooms and storage. At the rear of the building is a ten vehicle carpark. Level 1 has the dining and lounge spaces and a large outdoor deck. Plans are currently underway to include a playground space in this area. The upper two levels have the accommodation spaces which include both small apartments and bedsit rooms.
Understandably given the previous building’s history, the design and detailing of the exterior of the new House has received intense scrutiny to ensure its weathertight integrity will never be in question. The exterior skin to the drained and ventilated cavity includes a STO Armat plaster system and Eterpan cladding. When it is time for the cavity and cladding to be installed, it will receive an equally intense inspection.
Mainzeal Project Manager Grant Taylor said, “This project is highly collaborative by its very nature. It is impossible not to get wrapped up in the passion and dedication that exudes from the Trust members and volunteers. This is a very special project to be involved in and the whole team is doing a great job.”
A message from Lesley Slieker:
Building a new Ronald McDonald House in Wellington is an enormous task. That’s why we’re asking for your help. With your support and the combined generosity of others we can achieve the dream of providing families with a home away from home when they need it most. Please contact us at:
www.givealotoflove.org.nz
lesleys@rmhw.org.nz
Donate $3.00 by txting Ronald to 3890