Broadgreen’s stand-alone multifaceted building opened its doors to its 25th year on Saturday.
The Broadgreen Centre has been a focal point of the Nayland Rd site since 20 February 2000 with a reception area for visitors to Broadgreen Historic House, a small kitchen, and a purpose-built temperature-controlled storeroom which houses textile collections.
A community meetings and functions room named after Denis and Helen Le Cren, who spearheaded the centre’s development, completes the building’s inners.
Broadgreen Society Committee chair Brian Ramsay says plans for the centre, which is owned by its guides, were first discussed in the early 1990s to give leeway to the Historic House’s curator and guides.
“They all had to work out of a couple of rooms in the Broadgreen Historic House, which got to the point where it wasn’t functioning properly, so the volunteer guides put a little committee together with some locals and raised money to build it,” he says.
“They went to the council, got building consent, and in August 1999 they got clearance to build it… and it was built, fully kitted-out, ready to go in two months, that just wouldn’t happen today.”
Brian says the centre was constructed to the tune of $130,000 which, alongside the guides raised funds, was financed by an organisation grant, and it was officially opened by former Governor-General Dame Catherine Tizard.
The centre’s quarter-century was marked with a subtle celebration and among its attendees were current and retired guides including Bev Stephens, Robin Hall, and Lois Diaper, who served a combined 75 years.
Brian says an influx of volunteers who are historic house fans would be another birthday present.
“When the volunteers first started showing people through the house over 50 years ago, we had over 70 guides, but at the moment we’re down to 26 guides on a good day that we can call on,” he says.
“It puts a lot of pressure on the guides, especially people who are away sick or on holiday.”
“So, we really are looking for more people to volunteer their time to become guides, and all we ask is for a half a day a month or two half days a month, depending on their commitments.”
To find out more about volunteering visit broadgreenhouse.nz/support
