The Palms Lifestyle Village in Whangarei is a facility privately owned by Colin and Marilyn Parker, and managed by Daniel and Rochelle Skelton. Stage one of the development was opened in 2006 with 97 individual homes and in 2014 stage two commenced with construction of a further section of homes, five blocks of apartments and a community centre - all using top quality products from companies such as Firth to offer residents a five star facility.

“When we built the first stage we wanted the whole village to have a uniform look and use products that would stand the test of time as we knew that we would eventually start stage two and we needed a company that would come with us on the journey,” explains Daniel. “We have worked with Firth right from the start and we chose products from their range. The standard concrete, aggregate concrete, pavers, retaining wall blocks and the RibRaft® foundation system are all from Firth.”

Daniel says that Firth’s RibRaft® system has been used in all the foundations of the individual homes. “Not only does it offer strength and structural security, it is extremely well insulated, which creates extremely warm and comfortable living for our residents. All of the homes are very well built. As each of the dwellings has a northerly aspect the concrete floor helps maintain heat through each of the homes. It was a good decision back then and we have continued with the system through to stage two.”

Daniel wears several hats at the village. In addition to running the day-to-day activities, he is also the project manager. “We use builders on a labour-only basis and we do have our own landscaping team, but the management of contractors and products is part my job,” he says, hosing down the freshly poured concrete slab on the new community centre while he talks.

“Firth has been amazing over all the years we have worked with them,” says Daniel. “They were very loyal to us and as far as I am concerned it’s a two way thing. Kerry Newton, our current rep from Firth, is so accommodating and she is really great to work with. We have kept the same products and colours in use throughout the village. The new section of the village looks just as good as the older section – the gardens will catch up eventually.”

With the new community centre construction underway Daniel says he can’t wait to polish the newly laid concrete floor and says they will eventually have Firth Architectural Masonry on display as well. “You will need to come back and take a photo of that when it’s finished,” he says. “It’s going to look great.”


Project Details

Principal: RVA Retirement Villas
Consultant: Cook Costello
Customer: The Palms Lifestyle Village 
Location: Corner of Reed street and Corks Road, Whangarei
Product: Firth RibRaft® system, Certified Concrete®, Designer Concrete®, Keystone Country Manor® retaining

 

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