ANNUAL REGATTA 15 th JUNE 2013
Stratford upon Avon Sport Development Plan
Stratford upon Avon Boat Club is a thriving peak time club in an attractive town centre location with participants in all age groups . In recent years we have produced 5 England crews at Home Internationals , won the Henley Frank Harry cup Women ’ s Senior 4 +, Schools Head winners WJ4 +, several National Schools Regatta medalists , a Junior World Gold Medalist and a Paralympian Gold Medalist . We are enthusiastic participants in Learn to Row and Explore Rowing . We have a large waiting list of Junior membership which we can not accommodate at present .
Built in 1874 , and despite continuous maintenance , the boathouse is showing its age both in terms of condition and facilities . Although most Juniors are indifferent to their surroundings , the building and facilities are in such a poor state that they are not attractive to any but the most determined of potential adult members and are severely limiting our potential lettings income .
The cost of maintenance alone is becoming increasingly onerous with some large items such as the roof looming . If we were not to extend the facilities the investment needed to bring the existing building up to a decent standard and to meet current building regulations would still be very significant .
We have racking for 30 boats indoors , with an additional 20 boats outside . All are occupied . The new year lease makes provision for the landlord to build on our car park and if this were ever to happen it would provide additional boat storage space at ground floor level . However flood plain restrictions imposed by the Environment Agency at present would prevent any such development . There is , however , scope to extend at first floor level .
After an extended period of end-of-lease lack of investment , we have now signed a new 99 lease ( Feb 2013 ) and are therefore in a position to invest our club and facilities and feel very optimistic about the future with plans for wider participation , refurbishment , extension , new equipment , performance training and outreach programme .