Boathouse project
In 1995 the club, which had previously operated from nearby rented premises, purchased a small plot of land at Southmill Lock and built a small clubhouse. In its new home, the club was able to improve its fleet of boats to provide a good range of beginner and intermediate boats for those entering the sport.
By 2008, the number of boats being stored in the limited space was creating a risk of damage to the boats, and although the introduction of a temporary container brought some alleviation, no permanent planning permission for this could be granted. The club's activities were also being limited by the lack of indoor space for winter off-water training. It was realised that a new boathouse with purpose-built racking would not only provide better accommodation for all the boats but would release space in the main building for a repair workshop and dedicated training area. As an added bonus, moving the exercise equipment out of the main clubroom in favour of seating would create a more welcoming area for members and their families.
In 1995 the club, which had previously operated from nearby rented premises, purchased a small plot of land at Southmill Lock and built a small clubhouse. In its new home, the club was able to improve its fleet of boats to provide a good range of beginner and intermediate boats for those entering the sport.
By 2008, the number of boats being stored in the limited space was creating a risk of damage to the boats, and although the introduction of a temporary container brought some alleviation, no permanent planning permission for this could be granted. The club's activities were also being limited by the lack of indoor space for winter off-water training. It was realised that a new boathouse with purpose-built racking would not only provide better accommodation for all the boats but would release space in the main building for a repair workshop and dedicated training area. As an added bonus, moving the exercise equipment out of the main clubroom in favour of seating would create a more welcoming area for members and their families.
Construction
Planning permission was granted in 2010 for construction on an area of rough ground beside the existing clubhouse. Because of its location beside the river, the design of the boathouse had to meet rigorous standards to ensure that it would not interfere with the drainage of the land or look out of place in the attractive riverside setting. It is clad in cedar boards and incorporates louvers which will allow water to flow through the building unimpeded if flooding should occur.
Building work began in March 2012 and the main structure was completed in July. A further period of investigation and design was necessary before fitting out the building with the racking to support all the various types of boats, and this was finished in May 2013.
See photos of the construction.
Planning permission was granted in 2010 for construction on an area of rough ground beside the existing clubhouse. Because of its location beside the river, the design of the boathouse had to meet rigorous standards to ensure that it would not interfere with the drainage of the land or look out of place in the attractive riverside setting. It is clad in cedar boards and incorporates louvers which will allow water to flow through the building unimpeded if flooding should occur.
Building work began in March 2012 and the main structure was completed in July. A further period of investigation and design was necessary before fitting out the building with the racking to support all the various types of boats, and this was finished in May 2013.
See photos of the construction.
Opening
BSCC's new boathouse was formally opened by Ian Wynne, GB Canoeing Talent Coach and Olympic medal winner, on Saturday 12th October. After Ian had cut the ribbon, he and the other guests were shown around the new structure. Ian then took some time to meet and give advice to some of the club’s young paddlers. “It's great to see such a strong club community at Bishops Stortford committed to developing the club to make sure that there is an excellent facility here for the long-term,” he said. “Clubs are essential in developing our athletes and this facility will provide the club with a good base to help develop young athletes and future talent.”
See more photos of the opening. See the press report of the opening.
BSCC's new boathouse was formally opened by Ian Wynne, GB Canoeing Talent Coach and Olympic medal winner, on Saturday 12th October. After Ian had cut the ribbon, he and the other guests were shown around the new structure. Ian then took some time to meet and give advice to some of the club’s young paddlers. “It's great to see such a strong club community at Bishops Stortford committed to developing the club to make sure that there is an excellent facility here for the long-term,” he said. “Clubs are essential in developing our athletes and this facility will provide the club with a good base to help develop young athletes and future talent.”
See more photos of the opening. See the press report of the opening.
Funding
BSCC is pleased to acknowledge the support of Sport England through a Canoe England Capital Grant. The award of £100,000 was granted by Canoe England in partnership with Sport England, given the project's contribution to Sport England's Strategy 09-11. This strategy aims to grow the number of people playing sport, sustain participation by encouraging more people to keep playing sport, and helping talented sports people excel by improving talent development. Sport England's specific targets for 2013 include one million more people doing more sport and a measurable increase in people's satisfaction with their experience of sport. This funding has been provided by HM Exchequer through the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
The project has received £10,000 funding from Viridor Credits Environmental Company, through the Landfill Communities Fund. Viridor Credits Environmental Company distributes funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is available for community and environmental projects within ten miles of an active Viridor landfill site. Since its inception Viridor Credits has allocated over £70M to over a thousand projects across the UK. For further information about how to apply for funding, please call Viridor Credits on 01823 624656.
This project is also funded by a grant awarded by East Herts Council.
The club is also very grateful to the many private individuals who made donations through the "buy-a-board" scheme, and everyone who participated in the grass-roots fundraising, such as quiz nights and car boot sales.
BSCC would also like to thank Evergreen for their expertise in the design and construction of the bespoke racking.
We hope that as a result of this improvement to our facilities, many more members of the local community will be able to come along and participate in this exciting and enjoyable Olympic sport.
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