Australian retirement village provider IRT celebrated yet another milestone for their community last week, with a Topping Out Ceremony being held on the rooftop of Parkside at IRT Pioneer Place, in Wollongong on the New South Wales south coast.

Wollongong Councillor Chris Connor and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully MP joined IRT employees and village residents atop the eight-story building to mark the occasion.

“We’re delighted to reach this milestone and be on track to complete construction of Parkside at IRT Pioneer Place in early 2018,” said Acting Chief Executive of IRT Sam McFarlane, who was also in attendance.

Mr McFarlane added that the Topping Out Ceremony provided IRT with an opportunity to thank its friends, partners and current residents for their patience during the construction of Parkside, also mentioning that their resilience will be rewarded with a brand new Resident’s Lounge, Community Hall, cafe, landscaped courtyard and covered walkway to neighbouring Pioneer Park to be added to the village precinct.

“The residents of Howard Court at IRT Pioneer Place have been incredibly supportive and accommodating,” he said. “They helped to name the new Community, shape its design and make arrangements to accommodate construction.”

The project saw up to 200 local jobs created for and during the construction of Parkside at IRT Pioneer Place. Mr McFarlane said that support from Wollongong City Council had been invaluable during the project.

“Bringing our vision for Parkside at IRT Pioneer Place has truly been a team effort,” Mr McFarlane said.

“We’ve been fortunate to work with the best in the business, including architects Marchese Partners, builders Infinity Construction Group, and a local council with a clear plan to create ‘A City for People,” he said.

A majority of the 75 apartments in Parkside have already been sold off the plan, with first residents set to be welcomed into the village in April 2018.