Christchurch RC launches boathouse project
Christchurch Rowing Club has secured some £59,400 to expand their crowded boathouse facilities, thanks to Sport England and the Amateur Rowing Association.
This grant is a share of the Community Club Programme, a government funded scheme, being managed by Sport England, specifically earmarked to develop links between the country’s leading junior clubs and their local communities, providing resources, quality coaching and safe environments for young people to enjoy an open air successful national sport.
Development Manager of Sport England David Reader said: ‘I am delighted that Christchurch Rowing Club has been successful in applying for Community Club Development Funding. The new boat storage area, will give the Club additional and improved capacity meaning they can offer rowing to more people in and around the Christchurch area. They are committed to the development of the sport and the next few years should be an exciting time for the Club. The Club worked hard with the Amateur Rowing Association and Sport England to deliver this funding and now everyone is looking forward to an improved facility’.
‘The Community Club Development Programme represents a new way of working for Sport England whereby national governing bodies are involved in the initial selection of possible projects that should receive funding based on their strategic plans. Christchurch Rowing Club was identified by the Amateur Rowing Association for investment and we are pleased to support this investment through the Amateur Rowing Association which will have a positive effect on the grassroots development of the sport.
‘The Community Club Development Programme is an innovative way of helping to ensure that community clubs – the heart of grass root sports development in the country – receive the capital investment they need. This is central to achieving our vision of England becoming the most active and successful sporting nation in the world’.
The Club will be formally presented with their award in mid July 2008 when it is planned to officially open the completed new boathouse extension, and also celebrate the Club’s 60th Anniversary.
The award will allow the Club to dismantle the existing single storey (temporary) boathouse and replace it with an enlarged single storey clear span building. The aim of the new boathouse is to provide not only extra racking facilities but an area which can also be used for indoor training, resulting from a mobile racking system.
Club Chairman Peter Staddon said: ‘as Chairman of Christchurch Rowing Club I am extremely pleased to accept this grant award on behalf of our members. This award will enable the Club to continue its development and increase its activity in the community. In particular the Club will be able to develop its links to the local schools which will enable local pupils to move from their current dry start programmes into a wet start programme with the Club. The Club will also benefit from greater utilisation of its facilities during the day, when activity is lower, and to house equipment in a safer environment. Sport England and the Amateur Rowing Association have been very supportive during the application phase and we look forward to working with them as the project develops”. The Club also wishes to extend its thanks to several other organisations which include Christchurch Rotary Club, Christchurch & District Sports Council, Wessex Regional Rowing Council and of course its Volunteer members who man the various Club Committees.
Mike Green, Christchurch Rowing Club Trustee
