Army Rowing officially opens new boathouse facility
The Army Rowing Clubs Association (ARCA) has officially opened a new boathouse facility in Abingdon in a ceremony held on Wednesday.
Based on land redeveloped by the ARCA off Wilsham Road in the Oxfordshire town, the buildings are designed to house indoor and outdoor rowing equipment with immediate access to the River Thames.
The ARCA aims to encourage and promote the sport of rowing within the British Army and supports two main disciplines – scull and row and indoor rowing.
Having previously rented part of Eton College's boathouse, the ARCA acquired the lease for this council-owned land and turned it into their temporary home.
But as a shed proved unsuitable to store equipment, the Army looked to build a purpose-built facility.
Chair of the Army Rowing Clubs Association, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew McDermott, said that the new boathouse facility is "a real opportunity" for the club.
He said: "Lots of our boats have been stored away from here, we haven't necessarily had the ability to draw out lots of people together on a consistent basis because we have been quite nomadic in how we have been utilised, or the time and space we've had.
"This and the ability to concentrate on resources, whether that is equipment, whether that is coaching or anything else, is a real opportunity for us."
The Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) granted £647,200 for the new facility. Its director, Major General Shaun Burley, was on hand to cut the ribbon to officially open Army Rowing's new base.
In his honour, Maj Gen Burley received a shell boat which has been officially named after him.
He said: "I was very surprised and honoured. I was not expecting that at all, and it is a lovely thing to be able to name a boat and to have my name on it, as well, is just fantastic.
"It is an absolute pleasure to be here to open this building and see the youngsters, the next generation of rowers who are now in the club and hopefully will benefit from it."
With interest in rowing continuing to grow, the hope is that the new facility will encourage new members to take up the sport.
Staff Sergeant Adelle Tudor, a member of the Army Rowing development squad, said: "Going from a little old shed when I learned to row in the Army to this is just absolutely incredible.
"Hopefully it will enable more to come here and train more often, get together and actually get on the water and train together as well, and hopefully, for me, it will be more practice time."
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