New Zealand’s Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa has released a plan to build a European-style day spa in the historic Chisholm Ward of the Queen Mary Hospital, located in the Hurunui District of the country, just north of Christchurch.

General manager Graeme Abbot said the NZ$15m (US$9.4, €8.4m, £6.1m) investment is required to create the spa and the pools, and he is looking for a joint venture investor to make that happen.

The plan for Chisholm spa includes indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam and an ice cave, along with treatment rooms, a restaurant and a retail boutique.

“There is nothing else like this in the country,” said Abbot. “...This would be the largest one-off tourism investment ever made in the Hurunui and will help attract both domestic and international visitors.”

Abbot said his team is excited to breathe new life into the historic Chisholm Ward.

“The Chisholm Ward is a stunning building and it has been sad to see it sitting there locked and unused for more than 12 years,” he said.

“We will work alongside Heritage New Zealand to ensure its character and key features are enhanced by this development and it becomes a place that is once again open and enjoyed by people.”

Abbot said the design of the spa has not been finalised, so there is an opportunity for potential partners, the community and heritage advocates to work together on the details.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is owned by the Hurunui District Council and returns approximately NZ$3m a year to ratepayers. The Hurunui District Council also has owned the Queen Mary Hospital since 2010, and has spent more than half a million dollars maintaining the buildings.

“The Spa at the pools is now one of the busiest in New Zealand with an annual turnover of NZ$1.5m,” said Abbot. “We have no doubt Chisholm Spa will be equally successful.”

Abbot said his team is still a long way from making Chisholm Spa a reality, and needs to find a joint venture investor, finalise the concept, and have the concept approved by the Hurunui District Council – a process that will involve public consultation.

“But we’re confident we can make this work and create another stunning asset for the Hurunui and Hanmer Springs,” said Abbot. “It is a great opportunity for our entire community.”