Upcoming racking work in the boat shed

With the ongoing expansion and improvements to our fleet it is also time for us to update the racking in the boat shed so we are able to accommodate more boats as we continue our growth. The Committee has approved the re-racking of the rear of the RRC shed (the area between the Captains workbench and the 8 racks). So we are able to double rack unrigged boats doubling the capacity of this space.
The works will be taking place during the day time from Monday 21 January for a week. Please be aware people will be working in the shed over this time so access may be a little bit more difficult and please obey any safety signs or instructions.
In order to do this we will be relocating a number of boats to the RRC trailer over this time. We understand this may make it harder to access the fleet for a small amount of time, but the longer term benefits are significant. If you use a boat during this time, please ensure it is returned to where it came from and it is tied down if it is on the trailer.
We need some assistance to relocate boats for the work to happen. Please come along on Saturday 19 January, 9.30am to help out. Many hands make light work!!!

Official Opening of the Redeveloped Boathouse

RRC opening inviteIt gives me great pleasure to invite you to join us in celebrating the official opening of the new redeveloped Richmond Rowing Club.

The event will follow on from the Masters Melbourne Head Race on Sunday October 5th, from noon.

We would love to see members, family and friends from the rowing community join with us to celebrate what is an amazing facility right here in the heart of Melbourne. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in this project and share my excitement about the final realisation of this vision for the club.

I look forward to seeing you all there – please RSVP to [email protected]

Access update and help required this Saturday – 12th July 9am

As many of you will be aware we have been working hard to enable those people still wishing to train over the Winter break to have access to the fleet during our redevelopment project.  The builders are making progress and you can see the huge scale of this project now but unfortunately the upstairs of our shed still remains unaccessible and entry is only possible through the boat bay roller doors (which are however new and shiny).
We have been accessing our fleet in the MLC bay while works proceeded however MLC will be returning to rowing next week (Thursday 17th July) and as a result we need to move everything back into our original bay THIS WEEKEND. Unfortunately our hardworking captain has been whisked away to Manilla for work and so I am looking for volunteers to help me do this on Saturday morning, 12th July from 9am. Many hands make light work so I am hopeful it will not take too long.
Whilst Barry is away only Michelle Joy has a key to open up the shed, she alone has been inducted for the worksite and therefore is the only member of RRC with permission to open the boatclub. Currently the shed will be open for those wishing to row on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 6am, Saturday’s Winter sculling and Sunday all club training from 8am. Please remember to use the signout book if you are rowing at these times. If you have any questions regarding this arrangement or wish to offer your help on Saturday morning please contact me, [email protected].  Everyone’s help, understanding and patience during this time is really appreciated. We will keep you updated on any changes to this situation as soon as they become available.

Boathouse access update

Thanks to everyone for all their help this weekend with clearing out the boathouse.
As of now we do not have access to our boat bay or any of the upstairs level. If you left things in a locker they have been removed and stored in the bar and can not be claimed until we regain access in July.
Please be advised for health and safety reasons that access to the boathouse is restricted until Wednesday as the builders are setting up for demolition works. We will update you on access arrangements later this week once finalised with the builders.
Temporary changeroom and toilet facilities will be available from Wednesday at Mercantile Rowing Club, there will be four access cards, 2 for mens, 2 for womens. Please contact the captain for more information [email protected] Please note that the arrangement with Mercantile does NOT include access to lockers or usage of their gymnasium.
It is vital during this time that everyone makes sure to sign in and out in the boat log book which is located on the workbench at the rear of the MLC bay to prevent accidentally being locked out of the shed. During this time we are operating a reduced fleet all of which is located at the front of the MLC bay.
We have the Ian Taylor and the Tim Evans for eights
Don Dudgeon, DEMN and Simon Crunden for coxed quads/fours
Roberto Perrillo coxless quad
Siberian Tiger, Lucy Crunden and Rod Hendley for doubles/pairs.
Club oars will also be in the MLC bay.
For any queries please contact Barry Campbell via [email protected] or 0407551503.

Redevelopment To Go To Tender

More good news on the redevelopment. MLC and RRC have both signed the Lease and associated agreements. The RRC-MLC Lease is now with City of Melbourne for final signatures.
MLC have given their approval for the Tender to go ahead and we expect to go to tender as soon as the documentation is completed in the next few weeks.
At this stage we anticipate that building works will start early in 2014, once City of Melbourne has signed the RRC-MLC Lease and a builder has been appointed.
I, for one, cannot wait for the building works to start and more importantly to see our fantastic new boathouse when the works are finished towards the end of next year. More details will be available on the program of works and the impact on the rowing program when the builder has been appointed and we have negotiated with them the plan of works.