The education centre will mean new and improved workshops for local school groups visiting the windmill. It will host classes for adults and children, from baking and jam making to science and art projects. The space will also be bookable for community events as well as meetings and seminars, making this a true community facility.
Logan Construction (SE) Ltd has been appointed to build the new centre, and the project is set to cost the council around £700,000. The Friends of Windmill Gardens will take on management of the centre when it opens.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Sonia Winifred, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, said: “It’s great news this project is set to start. The education centre will provide much needed space for local children to come and learn about the windmill, its history and the science behind it.
“The Friends of Windmill Gardens have worked closely with the council to make this happen and I’m delighted to get the contractor appointed and push it forward. I can’t wait to see it open.”
The construction is due to be complete in December this year.
Jean Kerrigan, chair, Friends of Windmill Gardens (FoWG), said: “We are so pleased that Lambeth have made the appointment and that construction work can start on the new centre in Windmill Gardens.
“The Friends have campaigned over many years to get to this stage. Thanks to pro-bono work by architects Squire and Partners we will have a beautiful building in keeping with the historic Grade II* Brixton Windmill that will be of great benefit to our local community.
“During construction our volunteers will continue to open Brixton Windmill to visitors, regularly mill stoneground Brixton Windmill Flour, and organize community events in the park.
“FoWG will also be fundraising to fit out the building and to train our volunteers so that when the new education centre opens we are ready for the next phase in the 202-year history of Brixton’s much loved windmill.”
