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New Boathouse Boathouse Flyer
Boathouse Progress
Introduction
Since 1985, the Grand Rapids Rowing Association owes its popularity to attracting young people to the sport that utilizes
one of Michigan's most prized natural resources, the Grand River. Amateur rowing helps build an appreciation of our environment
and the character traits of its participants. For example, Nick Reed, a Union High graduate now in the U.S. Navy, said in an
interview with the Grand Rapids Press, "[rowing is] like breathing to me . . . I'll never forget how awesome it is to row on this river
in the fall and even in the spring." Reed saw a flyer about rowing at Union High and credits rowing for changing his life.
And Julia Craig, a rower at Michigan State University and a graduate of City High, told the Press the GRRA "assistance for
high school rowing is vital, given the expense involved in starting rowing programs."
The participation of young people in
the GRRA has been a major factor in the development of springtime high school rowing programs in the Grand Rapids area.
In addition, youth from these programs are invited to participate in summer and fall rowing at the GRRA. Currently, 70 students
from eight Grand Rapids high schools participate in the GRRA. The Grand Rapids Crew, formerly City League Crew, started in 1999
with students from Creston and City High Schools.
The GRRA operated out of the Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club within the City
of Grand Rapids until 2004, when the facility was damaged by a flood and ultimately condemned by the City.
The GRRA proposes to build a new boathouse in the coming year on the Grand River in Plainfield Township. The
boathouse will serve as a rowing center for our community to continue developing the sport for amateur rowing
enthusiasts of all ages. The project also incorporates information and education about the Grand River waterway and
promotes appreciation for this natural water resource.
Background
Rowing has a rich history on the Grand River. Beginning in the mid-1800s, rowing was one of the first competitive sports in
the United States. Its popularity remained strong in West Michigan through the 1920s. In the 1960s, rowing re-emerged when
Grand Valley State University selected rowing as its first varsity sport.
The Grand Rapids Rowing Association, previously named the Grand Rapids Rowing Club, was established in 1985 by a group of former
collegiate and amateur oarsmen who sought to foster the benefits of amateur rowing for youth and adults. The association was
chartered in the State of Michigan as a non-profit organization and has been designated a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal
Revenue Service; therefore, contributions to the association qualify for tax deductions.
Over the years, GRRA members have helped to foster and develop rowing programs for students in the East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills,
Northview, Lowell, and Rockford high schools. These programs continue to grow and the schools have constructed their own
boathouses for their active and successful rowing teams. Currently, there are over 500 students, in the Grand Rapids area,
who participate in rowing.
Rowing is practiced during spring, summer, and fall throughout Michigan. Regattas, events where
numerous amateur rowing clubs compete, also are held during the three seasons. Within our high schools, rowing is a spring sport,
with competitive rowing events from March through the end of school in June. Currently, GRRA assists these high schools and GVSU
by providing summer and fall rowing programs, coaching clinics, and material and personnel support when hosting various regattas
and activities throughout the year.
As an organized sport, rowing has many recognized advantages that include the following:
- A team sport that requires equal participation by every member
- A non-contact sport that requires hard work and offers outstanding physical conditioning
- A family-oriented sport that requires parental involvement for a successful high school program
- An outdoor sport that promotes appreciation for and enjoyment of our natural resources
- An inexpensive sport because GRRA provides equipment
- A beneficial sport that offers college scholarships to rowers who have achieved a high level of skill in high school rowing
(several Grand Rapids area students have received rowing scholarships)
- A satisfying sport that can be enjoyed by individuals of different skill levels and physical abilities throughout life
Statement of Need
The GRRA seeks to establish a premier rowing center in West Michigan. The capability to recruit and train area high school
students and to offer all of the above benefits to rowing enthusiasts is contingent upon having a fully equipped and modern
rowing center. This center will help in developing after-school programs for youth, supporting programs for special needs children,
and expanding adult membership while working closely with the Grand Valley State University Annis Water Research Institute and
the West Michigan Environmental Action Council.
Proposal
The Grand Rapids Rowing Association proposes a new boathouse on the
Grand River in Plainfield Township, a stretch of the river ideally suited to rowing. The new boathouse proposed by the GRRA will
be a LEED* certified design with 8,000 square feet of space eventually providing three bays for safe and secure boat storage
with 50 or more rowing shells (boats), a heated bay for boat repair and maintenance, a winter training area, bathrooms, and an
area for changing clothes. A mezzanine provides an area for meetings and exercise. The main level of the boathouse has a cement
block exterior and is designed for future expansion. The boathouse design also meets Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
standards and will be built to accommodate flooding of the Grand River.
The GRRA proposes to raise $500,000, which will be used to:
- Construct and properly equip an 8,000-square-foot boathouse that complies with the Green Building Rating System that includes
a rain garden.
- Allocate $30,000 to fund operating expenses for five years for expenses not covered by dues, rowing fees, annual
fundraisers, and regatta earnings.
- Construct two outdoor Kiosks with environmental and educational displays.
- Participate with the West Michigan Environmental Action Council Adopt-a-Stream program.
- Establish a scholarship fund for deserving high school students
Summary
The goal of the Grand Rapids Rowing Association is to
raise $500,000 to build a boathouse and establish a rowing center to facilitate competitive and recreational rowing in
West Michigan. The rowing center will serve the students of the Grand Rapids public, private, and parochial high schools and
area colleges, along with interested adult rowers. Through these efforts, the GRRA can continue its tradition of providing
individuals with the opportunity to experience the enriching, exciting team sport of amateur rowing and help educate its
participants about the importance of preserving natural resources.
* Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Copyright © 2008. Grand Rapids Rowing Association. All rights reserved.
Grand Rapids Rowing Association, P.O. Box 3189, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
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