A $250,000 "gift" from the district health board has helped plug a $1.8 million shortfall for the Golden Bay Integrated Family Health Centre.

The Nelson Marlborough District Health Board approved a revised funding package last week, and the long-awaited health centre is due to begin construction next month.

The new facility will centralise medical care, maternity services and rest home support for the elderly 3km outside Takaka.

Building had previously been scheduled to begin in June but was postponed after tenders came in higher than the quantity surveyor's estimate.

Trustee of the centre's property trust Linda Sanders said it was very exciting.

"People are just over the moon. There are a few things that need to be sorted, but we're trying to pull out all the stops to get everything done in time."

The project was to initially cost $7.6m, but latest figures show the total cost would be about $9.2m.

The cost of construction will be about $6.5 million, but Ms Sanders was still unable to name the preferred tenderer, saying a contract is yet to be signed.

Health board secretary Mike Cummins said the board was providing a donation of $250,000 to the project.

The money had come from freed-up savings, he said.

"We make a whole lot of savings, and changes happen, so we're looking to use some of that money for the Golden Bay project.

"It's trying to make sure the project proceeds in a timely fashion."

The money was not a loan and not expected to be paid back.

"It's a donation, it's a gift. But the rest of the funding will be part of a loan."

Ms Sanders said they were "very happy" with the contribution.

The DHB has also agreed to increase its bridging finances by $600,000, to a total of $1.56m. Mr Cummins said the DHB agreed to the additional interest-free loan after tenders for construction came in higher than anticipated.

It had also agreed to suspend repayments under that bridging finance loan for five years.

Ms Sanders said the savings for the funding shortfall had come from changes to the specifications and did not compromise the design, size or functionality of the building.

The community would "definitely not" be expected to increase its donation of $800,000, she said.

"We made clear in discussions that $800,000 is a significant amount for a community of this size to raise."

The bank loan of $4,700,000 has been extended from 20 years to 25 years.

WHAT'S CHANGED? Changes to the previous Golden Bay Integrated Family Health Centre funding to bridge $1.8m price gap: A $250,000 grant from the NMDHB. NMDHB increases its bridging finance by $600,000 to $1.56m, repayments deferred for five years. Nelson Marlborough Hospitals' Charitable Trust increases contribution by $125,000 to total $375,000. Property trust mortgage extended from 20 to 25 years. Total cost $9.2m

- © Fairfax NZ News

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