We will be moving back into the original part of the rowing shed next week which is fantastic.
We will be buying new furniture as part of the project so we need a hand on Friday morning to chuck out all the old tables and chairs and any other junk we have in the boathouse and you will get a sneak preview of how good it is. Time to be confirmed.
Once we are in, it is common to find some things don’t work quite properly. If this is the case, DON’T try to fix it. Everything is under warranty and builders’ guarantee and we will lose that if we try to fix things ourselves. If you find something does not work or does not seem right, please just email me on [email protected]. I can then follow up with the architects and builders.
Please wait until you are notified via this blog page before you start accessing the hall area. It’s tempting but it is still a building site until it is formally handed over!
Works this week:
– Installing the concrete screed and then grass on the deck
– Finishes to new stair
– Finishes to paintwork
– Completion of carpeting
– Defects inspection and rectification process commences
Access Update – No access this Friday 22 August
Please note that there is no access to the boathouse this Friday 22 August at any time as there will be cement screed poured inside the building preventing access.
Other than Friday, there will be no changes to access until after Friday 5 September when we hope to be given a provisional Certificate of Occupancy for the original part of the building.
We expect to have complete access to all areas of the new building in late September after the fire service main has been connected. Unfortunately this is reliant on scheduling by SE Water and cannot be brought forward.
The builders expect to complete works in the next 2 weeks and then defect resolution (a standard process) will occur in the week after, leaving us the boathouse ready for our use after 5 September. There is plenty of work still happening – the plywood ceiling in the new gym and classroom, painting, carpeting, finishing the balcony and pergola and general fitting off plus tidying up the external areas.
Thanks for everyone’s patience while the building works are happening. I think everyone will be wow-ed by the boathouse when we regain access.
Redevelopment Update 6 August
Access continues to be restricted – members enter through the RRC bay and up the back stairs and may only access the changerooms. Thanks to everyone for observing the safety requirements of having building works ongoing while we use the building. It remains very important that no-one enters the building site section of the building.
The building is starting to look more like the finished article but there is still lots of work going on inside to get it finished off. The builders are still about 5 days behind schedule meaning that completion will be end of August. However, there are some external works that will be completed after this date as we have to replace the fire service main. This requires road excavation and is expected to be done in late September.
We expect to have power back after 14 August. Please note there will be no power at the boathouse on 13 August while the new power connection is made. Continue reading “Redevelopment Update 6 August”
Redevelopment and access update
We are pleased that we will have access to the changerooms again commencing this Thursday 24 July. The boathouse is still a building site so please note the following arrangements:
– The site will be opened by authorised persons only – Barry and Justin – as this requires access through the building site
– Entry for other members is through the roller doors into the boat bays
– To access the changerooms, go through the boat bay, up the back stairs
– Please leave via the boat bays and the authorised person will lock up
– Please do not attempt to access any other parts of the boathouse. The builder will hoard off and put up notices, but there will be doors that must not be entered by members.
– There may be restrictions on power and hot water. We are confirming these with the builder and will let you know. If so, we will request to continue access to Mercantile changerooms until we have full power and water back.
It is great that we will have the changerooms back ready for our season launch on Sunday morning. We look forward to seeing lots of people down.
MLC commence their rowing program on Thursday afternoon and are expected to be down some afternoons and Saturday mornings.
Works expected in the next 2 weeks:
- Carpenters will continue framing and plastering
- Concreter will screen terrace
- Plumber continuing rough in and external fit offs.
- Plasterer continuing to hang and stop plaster in both new and old areas.
- Stair 2 (rear stair) will be open to RRC/MLC as of 24th July. This will provide access to the upstairs change rooms via ex Bay 2. Hoarding will be provided to prevent unauthorised access to the works areas. RRC/MLC should not access the work areas at any time unless under direction supervision of the Builder.
- Electrician will commence installation of light fittings. New switchboard will be installed
- Painter will continue painting in the old section.
- Floor coverings to old section will be completed.
- Bay 2 will be cleared out to provide safe access for RRC/MLC to the rear.
Redevelopment and access update
Massive thanks to everyone who helped out this morning and congratulations on a smooth operation to fit everything back into the RRC bay. We continue to have access to most of our fleet so people can continue to row when the shed is open as advised previously.
Can I ask people to take extra special care if using the Rod Henley or Lucy Crunden which have been returned to the top rack of the East wall. Please be aware due to the new eye beam at the front of the shed the clearance height to get the Rod Henley down is quite small so take note.
Also a reminder that we still require people to complete the sign in/out book when taking a boat from the shed. This is now located on the steps on the left hand side of the shed near the eights.
Great job again everyone today and hope to see you all down at the sheds again soon, with the building work making great progress it won’t be long until we are fully functional in a beautiful boathouse.
Save the Date – Sunday Oct 5th!
As you will have all hopefully seen the boathouse redevelopment is moving at pace now (even despite the weather this week). There is still lots to do and a big thank you to everyone who has helped get us this far.
We still need more funds to purchase the racking for this new area and it is not too late for you to donate using this ASF form to make a tax deductible donation. Click through now, complete the form and email or send it to Anthea, our Secretary, [email protected]. Every bit you can donate will help us towards our target $20,000.
We have now fixed a date to celebrate and officially hold “The Grand Opening” of the new boathouse and it is Sunday 5th October, so make sure you save the date! You will notice it is in our online calendar along with a draft of upcoming events for the new season.
I am currently recruiting volunteers to help be involved in organising the event. Could I ask anyone who would like to offer their ideas and help to promote, organise and make this event the huge celebration it deserves to contact me, [email protected] and we can start the planning.
Redevelopment Update 25 June
The new boathouse is starting to take shape – standing in the hall it is amazing the difference that removing the old windows has made. The view is going to be even more stunning than before.
Downstairs the front stairs have been removed and we can now see the additional space for boat storage. We still need many more funds to purchase the racking for this area……donate now using the ASF form on this site to make a tax deductible donation http://3.25.77.84/download/ASF%20Donation%20Form%20.pdf
Click through now, complete the form and email or send it to Anthea, our Secretary. Every bit you can donate will help us towards our target $20,000.
A big thanks to the people that have already made donations to help with the racking.
Over the next two weeks we expect the following works to be completed:
Week 1 commencing 23rd June
- Carpenters will continue framing and plastering
- Concreter will screen terrace
- Window installation will commence
- Plumber will install water tank and internal rough in.
- Electrician will continue internal rough in.
Week 2
- Carpenters will complete framing and plastering
- Window installation will continue
- Floor coverings to existing building
- Roofer completes roofing
- Painting continues
Redevelopment Update
Anyone who has been down to the boathouse since we gave the builders exclusive access at the start of June will see that they are making good progress with the building works. The roof is on, pergola erected, old front stairs demolished, windows removed and so on. In the next two weeks the planned building works are as follows:
Week 1 commencing 9th June
- Form Stair 1 and pour late in the week
- Electrical rough in at both levels
- Measure windows and roller shutters
- Continue carpentry to walls and ceilings
- Commence plumbing rough in
Week 2 commencing 16th June
- Electrical rough in continues
- Plastering upstairs
- Blockwork to underside of stairs
- Plumbing rough in continues
At this stage we expect to have use of the boathouse again in mid July and for the building works to be completed in mid August, as planned.
No Access to First Floor 2 June to 12 July and Working Bee 31 May & 1 June
We have just confirmed with Lloyd Group that they require exclusive access to the first floor from 2 June to 12 July.
RRC members will be able to use the changerooms at Mercantile during this time.
Works to the entrance stairs at the same time will mean that there is also no access to the RRC bay. Many boats will be relocated and accessible for training from the MLC bay, La Trobe and other locations – our thanks to Barry for organising all this. Exact details of boats, locations and how to access them will be provided as soon as they are relocated.
We need your help to get ready for this stage of the works:
- Please would all members remove ALL personal items from the changerooms by Friday 30 May. All remaining items will be cleared out from the changerooms at the weekend.
- Please come and help with working bees on Saturday 31 May at 10am and Sunday 1 June at 10am. We need help to shift boats to new homes and to remove everything from the first floor. If you usually train on the weekend, please come and help instead as we need all hands on deck!
We expect to have access again on Sunday 13 July when we can start to enjoy the refurbished upstairs area. There will be another working bee to put everything back in place – watch this space!
Redevelopment Update 20 May
The redevelopment continues to progress well. As with any building works there have been a few issues that have had to be dealt with as we go along – most noticeably a downpipe was disconnected and flooded the parquetry floor. The builders have worked to effect a temporary fix and will fix permanently as the works progress.
This couple of weeks progress is as follows:
- Concrete pour to eastern stair followed by strip and clean.
- Steelwork will arrive on site and installation will continue for the week.
- Supporting formwork to first floor slab will be stripped and removed except for the formwork on the front balcony.
- Site clean up.
- Excavator to be removed ASAP.
- Lift will be delivered and installed
- Installation of roofing will commence later in the week.