The Rotary Club of Oak Harbor received permission to build a new windmill in Windjammer Park not far from the site where the former structure once stood.
The construction of the two-story, 72-foot windmill will truly be a community project, with a combination of donations, in-kind labor and local expertise dedicated to building the structure, Rotary member Brian Jones told the Oak Harbor City Council last week.
“We believe this will be iconic for the city,” Jones said. “It will be the landmark for the city. You have the Roller Barn, you have the windmill and it’s one of those things that makes the town unique.”
Flyers Restaurant brewed a special Windmill Project Summer Ale in honor of the project, with $1 of each ale sold going toward the effort. Chris’ Bakery made Dutch spice cookies for those who donate to the project. The project sponsors have a paver project in which donors can get their names in a paver garden near the windmill.
Jones said the windmill is estimated to cost as much as $700,000 to build, but the majority of the project will be in-kind donations from such local companies as P&L General Contractors and Diamond Rentals.
People can donate or find more information at www.ohwindmill.com.
The city tore down the old windmill, a plywood building built in the 1970s, in 2017 because it had not been maintained and was deemed a hazard due to rot and possible falling debris. The action upset many in the community who felt it represented an important symbol of the city and a beloved childhood memory.
The city council at the time promised to rebuild the windmill, but Councilmember Jim Woessner explained that no progress was made after years for different reasons.
As a result, a group of citizens decided to build the windmill largely with private donations and donated labor. The group includes Jones, Woessner, Councilmember Eric Marshall, former Councilmember Bill Larsen, Ryan Wallin, Aaron Syring and Steve Schwalbe.
“They took a piece of our history away when they tore it down,” Schwartz said in an interview.
Jones said that the windmill will cost much less to build if it’s a private effort as opposed to the city constructing it. He said the idea is that the community will be able to rent out the windmill for special events.
During the meeting, Councilmember Bryan Stucky asked about the scale of the structure, which is planned to be significantly bigger than the former windmill.
Jones said the group wants the windmill to be usable by the community and last for 100 years or more.
“We do this one time; we do it right,” he said. “We let generations enjoy this thing.”
The windmill will be just over 53 feet tall, but the blades will make it 72 feet tall. It will be two stories and wrapped by a deck.
In the end, the council unanimously voted to approve the site for the windmill project.
Left to right: Steve Schwalbe (Rotary member), Brian Jones (Rotary member), Jason Tritt (owner of Flyer’s), Councilman Jim Woessner, Councilman Eric Marshall. (Photo by Luisa Loi/Whidbey News-Times)
