Work Begins Building New Sands End Arts and Community Centre
Residents gather for groundbreaking ceremony in South Park
Work has begun creating a new Sands End Arts and Community Centre in Fulham's South Park.
Local residents - including some who had campaigned to save the previous centre - gathered at the site, on the north west corner of the Parsons Green park for groundbreaking ceremony on 6 March.
Designed by a team led by Mae Architects, the new centre will restore the original Clancarty Lodge and extend it to provide a large community hall, plus flexible hall and cafe opening onto an arts courtyard, and connecting to the terrace of the original lodge via an open lobby area.
The centre will also have a number of public outdoor spaces, including the terrace, courtyard, community and nursery gardens and a walnut grove.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council says it has worked closely with residents and local stakeholders to draw up designs for the new centre.
The designs were first shown off at two public consultation events held last week, but are now available online and residents are urged to view them and provide feedback.
The original community centre in library in Broughton Road was sold five years ago by H&F Council's previous administration, despite strong protests from local residents.
Last August, the council announced that it intended creating the new centre in the lodge with a contribution of £2 million from Tideway, which is constructing a drive site for the Tideway Tunnel on nearby Carnwath Road.
Chelsea FC is also providing up to £1.6m via its community contribution for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
Ben Green, Delivery Manager West for Tideway, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer this significant contribution to the local community. After several years of working successfully with the council, we look forward to 2019 when it will become a reality and of real benefit to the local community."
A community trust comprised of local people will be set up to run and operate the centre.
“The residents of Sands End sadly lost their beloved community centre eight long years ago, so we’re building them a new one,” said Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council. "Local people have helped design the new centre and local people will run it,” said Cllr Cowan."
Find out more about the new centre here.
September 7, 2017
