Katikati's St John Ambulance staff move into their brand new station early next week, marking the end of an $800,000 community fundraising project that began last year.

Katikati St John area committee's Mike Williams says the station will be operational next week and the official opening will be on November 18, when the public will have the chance to see the building.

Positioned next to the Katikati Fire Station in Sheffield St the new building is a significant improvement on the current cramped station in Beach Rd, which has room for only one ambulance.

Painted in St John's bright new colour scheme outside, the station has a large ambulance bay with adjacent equipment rooms. There are offices, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a staff kitchen and lounge, and a committee room for training, first aid courses and for hire by the public. The station will be staffed around the clock.

Katikati St John's new building on Sheffield St.

The building has been completed by Katikati builder Ian West, of Westaco, who took over the contract when lead contractor BayCom Construction went into voluntary liquidation.

'We are very grateful to Ian for talking on the contract and also that virtually all of the original sub-contractors are still involved with the project,” says Mike. Baycom's liquidation delayed completion of the building by about two months.

Mike says the building, which the local community and sponsors have so generously donated to, is an asset to Katikati and its wider region.

'It is a well-designed and futureproofed building, which will serve St John and our community well.”

Details of the official opening and public viewing of the station will be released closer to the time.