Photo courtesy of Reg Buckingham Collection, Cambridge Museum & Historical Society.
Taylor Made Community Space
1960's to Now
Taylor Made Community Space is a central community hub in Cambridge for shared learning and growth
Located at 22A Taylor Street, Cambridge
The history behind Taylor Made Community Space.
The building that Taylor Made Community Space resides in was built in 1962 as the Cambridge Maternity Hospital.
1962
The 1960's were all go
The Cambridge Maternity Hospital on the corner of Hall and Taylor Streets was opened and the first baby, Denise Bergmann, was born 7 October 1962.
1964
The first twins
Pictured are Richard and Rosalie Williams with babies Adele and David, the first twins delivered in the hospital in 1964. Mr and Mrs Robb of the National Hotel (left) presented them with a double pram, in the presence of matron Joan Ogilvie, Mayor Milicich (after whom Milicich Place is named), and his daughter Mrs Hyde.
1989
Closed temporarily
The Cambridge Maternity Hospital was closed by the Area health Board in 1989 and lay dormant for two years. It could have been sold and lost to the community forever.
This prompted groups of concerned locals to discuss the future use of the building.
July 1990
The next stage begins
A visionary group, comprising district nursing, Plunket, private GPs, counsellors and interested individuals, held a meeting to create a new life for this facility.
A multi-purpose Cambridge Community Health Centre was the dream. It was to include day care for the elderly, family planning, counselling services and complimentary health services.
Steering committee members, at this time, included John Ryan, Heather Mackie, Marie Dunnett, Anne Woods, Mary Casey, Adele Just, John Marshall, Cal Lovel, Lilly Saunders, Dr Helen Moriarty, Kiri Gray, Christine Hansen, Rosalie Lunson, Raewyn Bason and Jen Beattie.
1991
A hive of activity
In 1991, the Cambridge Genealogy Group and The Parents Centre found a home at the CHCC and both are still here today in 2022!
Other groups at this time were the New Mothers Support Group, Access Scheme who ran a catering course in the spacious kitchen, and Counsellor Vicky Lowe-Reid. There was also an art studio, holistic options, massage, language skills, craft fairs plus support and hobby groups.
The Centre had its own regular column, of activities and services on offer, in the local paper.
1993
Establishing the Trust
The Centre's Health Fair had a two-page spread in the local paper, with coordinator Jenette Calder commenting "we would like to see this place buzzing as a resource centre and at the stage where people didn’t have to go to Hamilton for meetings and seminars."
The goal was to establish a self-funding facility which, with building alterations, would accommodate up to 100 people for conferences and seminars.
The Cambridge Health & Community Trust took over the facility on July 2nd 1993, with Deputy Mayor Ron Cooper cutting the cake at the official opening in 1993.
1994 - 2017
Jenny Baker, Centre Director
Jenny Baker became the Centre Director in 1994, retiring from the position 23 years later in December 2017! A great deal of progress was made during Jenny's able management, with many improvements to the facilities.
Many long-standing users of the Centre arrived during Jenny's tenure, including Cambridge Garden Club, Grey Power, Cambridge Toy Library, Montessori Pre School and SeniorNet.
2013
The Magnolia Lounge
In 2013, establishing the Magnolia Lounge was a huge achievement.
It was brought to the Trust’s attention that there was a need for a dementia day care service. The most ambitious project in the Trust’s 20-year history began, including sourcing $150,000+ to purchase and move a transportable building to the Centre and then outfit it.
This is a very popular service as people, who still live in their own homes have a quiet, secure, place in which to socialise. Rotary, Lions and the Cambridge Brass Band, as well as many local families, got behind the project to bring it to fruition. Creative Fibre made two beautiful wall hangings that adorn the lounge’s walls.
2022
The centre today.
2022 saw the Trust redefined their position in the market place and identify how best to serve the Cambridge community going forward in the future. A new focus and purpose were identified, along with a name change to Taylor Made Community Space, sees the trust move away from a health focus to a place where everyone can come together to exchange knowledge and ideas in a supportive environment.
Taylor Made Community Space
22A Taylor Street, Cambridge
P. 07 827 8246
E. hello@taylormadespace.co.nz
Open
Monday - Sunday, 8am to 10pm
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8.30am to 3.30pm