Residents of Ōmokoroa Country Club are settling into a new clubhouse that owners say brings the village’s “sense of community” to life after months of anticipation.

Officially opened last Thursday, the facility offers spaces for social gatherings, fitness, coffee catch-ups and community events.

The country club is a retirement village for people aged 65 and over, offering residents not only housing but a lifestyle centred on community, companionship and shared activities.

Daryl and Heidi Scott, husband and wife, own the club and Heidi said current and future residents turned out in large numbers for the opening celebration.

“Everyone was on cloud nine, it was such a happy night and everyone had been waiting in anticipation for this opening, the response was incredible.”

The 680sq m clubhouse – the first “big building” in the retirement village – took 12 months to build and marks a significant milestone in the development of the Ōmokoroa Country Club.

“It’s actually our health spa, and we have very cleverly configured it to have everything, so it’s got the pool, the spa, the gym, the library, billiard table, lounge, bar, and restaurant,” Heidi said.

She told NZME that every retirement village had a clubhouse of some kind, but buying into Ōmokoroa Country Club was about more than just purchasing a home.

“You’re buying into a community of like-minded people, so we wanted to build the best in town and I think that’s what we have achieved.”

Husband and wife Heidi and Daryl Scott own Ōmokoroa Country Club. Photo / Cab Creative

She said residents moved into the village for companionship and a “sense of community”.

“I think this building has enabled that to come to life, without a hub for them [residents] to be together, to enjoy the community, there’s nothing.

“It really was a big milestone for us to open our big facility.”

The project also carried a personal connection for Heidi, whose father Fraser Sanderson founded Ōmokoroa Country Estate more than 30 years ago.

She said growing up around retirement villages meant continuing that legacy was in her blood.

“It’s all I know, so my husband and I had the opportunity to build our own development, so we grabbed it, and here we are now.”

The clubhouse took 12 months to build and marks a significant milestone in the development of Ōmokoroa Country Club. Photo / Cab Creative

As operators of a family-owned village, she said they always had one motto.

“If it’s not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for you.

“So in saying that we build to a high standard and create beautiful places for people to retire.”

When asked what success would look like for the clubhouse, Heidi said she hoped the village would create a life where residents felt like they were a part of something.

“In life everyone needs to feel like they belong and that they are a part of some sort of community.

“This really is a genuine community, it’s all about enjoying life and what the clubhouse has to offer our wonderful residents.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.