Ribbon Cutting at Pelham Rowing's New Boathouse at Glen Island in New Rochelle with Slideshow

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held this past Tuesday (Oct. 27) atthe Pelham Community Rowing Association’s new boathouse at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle.

State Sen. Jeff Klein, who secured a $100,000 NY State grant for the boathouse, cut the ribbons.In the photo below are, left to right: PCRA Board Members Frank Costa and Bill O’Connor, Town Supervisor Joe Solimine, State Sen. Klein, PCRA President Brian Clark, County Legislator James Maisano, Glen Island Park Superintendent Tino Martin and PCRA Board member Angela Rubbo.

Mr Clark said the 4,000 square foot building cost approximately $750,000. In addition to the Klein grant, $250,000 was obtained from a NY state grant from the Division of Coastal Resources and $50,000 from a grant from State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. The remainder of the money—$350,000—was raised by private fundraising and foundation grants.

The boathouse has been a dream of the PCRA since the private group was organized in 2003. Construction on the boathouse began in the spring of 2008 and is expected to be officially completed by the end of this year.

“This is the only boathouse in the entire county for community based rowing,” said Michael Durand of PCRA. Traditionally rowing is limited to private clubs, colleges and prep schools.

PCRA operates under the auspices of the Town of Pelham Recreation Department and its classes and programs are offered to residents of Pelham and other nearby communities. PCRA has classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced rowers of all ages.

The next step for the PCRA is to rebuild the dock at Glen Island Park, install a custom boat rack and begin purchasing boats, according to Angelo Rubbo, a PCRA Board member and Chairman of the Construction Committee.

Mr. Rubbo, said the boathouse was built large enough to hold 52 boats. Currently the PCRA owns some 20 boats. The price of boats can range from $8,000-$30,000 so significant additional fundraising is anticipated.

On hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony was Pelham Town Supervisor Joe Solimine who said the shared funding shows, “This is a perfect example of partnership between the state government, a private organization, the town and the county.”

The boathouse will be open to the public this Sunday, Nov. 1 from 3:00-5:00pm. Members of PCRA will be at the boathouse to share information on the boathouse and PCRA programs.

 

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This is part of the October 30, 2009 online edition of The Pelham Weekly.

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