Rowers celebrate as work starts on the University of Cambridge's new £2.8million boathouse

More than 100 alumni and rowers marked the start of work on University of Cambridge's new boathouse with a traditional turf cutting ceremony held jointly by construction firm for the project Morgan Sindall and the three University rowing clubs.

The two-storey,£2.8 million four-bay boathouse, which will accommodate up to 50 boats, will house the Cambridge University Boat Club, Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club and Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club. The start of work on the project was the culmination of eight years of fundraising, with donations having come from hundreds of Cambridge alumni as well as the University.

Ewan Pearson, a Cambridge Blue and chairman of the project, said: “We are delighted to have selected Morgan Sindall to construct this boathouse; it will bring our three clubs together under one roof for the first time. We have now reached the final stage in the development of new and world-class facilities for the scholar-athletes from the three clubs that row for the University against Oxford in the annual Boat Races. These facilities will greatly help us to boost our competitiveness.”

The building will be completed in October next year and will include a kitchen area, crew and coaches rooms, and two large changing rooms with shower facilities. It will have brickwork cladding, a distinctive zinc covered roof, external landscaping to the surrounding gated area and its own car park.

Bob Ensch, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: “We’re very pleased to be starting work on this important scheme which means so much to both current and former rowers. The boathouse has an important role to play as the hub and heart of the crews’ activities. These are athletes of the highest calibre and the boathouse has been designed to provide future generations of Cambridge rowers with a great base from which to train for the next 100 years.The three rowing squads will be able to start using the site from the beginning of their academic year as they start their preparation for the 2017 boat races.”

Coaching on the Ouse at Ely 1 of 5

Pat Marsh, Sir Steve and CUWBC Head Coach Rob Baker on the launch 2 of 5

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Sir Steve Redgrave, the five-times Olympic Gold-medallist, joined the CUWBC crews at Ely recently to pass on technical tips and give a post-training session pep talk. He stressed the need for physical and mental strength to excel in rowing, in addition to the commitment a slow steady increase in performance requires.

CUWBC Vice-President Evelyn Boettcher said: "It was a tremendous privilege to have Britain's greatest Olympian visit.

"The next time the wind picks up as we're out on the water, and whatever challenge is thrown our way, we will remember his encouraging comments."

The BNY Mellon Boat Races will take place on Sunday 27th March 2016 with the Women's First Boats starting at 3.10pm & the Men's at 4.10pm.

Photography by Howard Guest  http://howardguest.co.uk/