MEMBERS of the Springburn Winter Gardens Trust are urging Glasgow 
City Council to support their plans for a new nursery in the area. 

The trust has developed an £8 million project to transform the Winter Gardens and is asking the local authority to consider the vacant land beside it as a potential site for the next nursery. 

It is hoped that income from the childcare facility would then make the fund for the Winter Gardens Project. 

Glasgow Times:

Trust member Paul Sweeney explained: “There isn’t a proposal yet for a nursery in Springburn and the optimal proposal would be in this woodland setting. 

“The idea is to do a public call for the council to earmark Springburn Winter Gardens for a new nursery as part of the childcare provision of 1140 hours a week.

“We want the council to consider Springburn Winter Gardens as one of the potential locations for the next nursery to be announced. 

“Is it on their list? 

“Can we have that discussion? 

“We are just trying to fly the flag.

“Having the income from the childcare facility would help make the Winter Gardens Project itself sustainable as part of a combined project. 

“It’s a perfect setting for a childcare facility.”

The trust has previously applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2018 for funding but was unsuccessful.

It was then reconstituted at its AGM in November with new trustees brought on board and cross-party representation from the council.

Glasgow Times:

Sweeney continued: “The idea is to take the feedback from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which was going forward with an £8m project is too high risk, and we need to introduce it in phases and find ways of funding different elements. 

“The idea is to renovate the Winter Gardens into a multi-use venue.”
Labour councillor Aileen McKenzie who is also involved with the project will write to the council and the education convener informing them of the updated proposals which is based on the Tollcross model.

She added: “This is not just a case of building a nursery, it’s also helping regenerate the community that have been working on it for a long time.

“It is badly needed as well, and I think it would be really successful.”

The trust is looking to take the initiative forward in the next year and complete initial work to the venue by COP26. 

By next summer it would look to do further refurbishment by redoing the cafe and developing the new nursery. 

The organisation will now ask for investment from the council’s capital fund. 
Glasgow City was approached for comment but was unable to answer at this time.