Boathouse renovation efforts net £2m boost
AHISTORIC boathouse is set to have a makeover after securing more than £2 million of funding. Work will start on the renovation of Glasgow Green’s West Boathouse this week.
The listed building will be restored to its former glory by ARPL Architects and will be overseen by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.
Five years in the making, plans include improving access and upgrading facilities to provide community spaces and providing safer access to the river for water sports enthusiasts.
The initiative is worth more than £2.5m and will be delivered in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the Robertson Trust, Glasgow City Council, the William Grant Foundation, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, the Architectural Heritage Fund and many others.
The project comes as part of community heritage activities to encourage more people to use the River Clyde.
As part of this, volunteers from Glasgow Disability Alliance have been involved in boatbuilding activities and a dedicated heritage engagement officer has held nature walks as well as celebrated the heritage of the East End of the city.
The boathouse was originally built in 1905 for the Clyde Amateur Rowing Club and Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club who still share the building.
The clubs have been working with the partners in order to encourage new users into the buildings.
The building is B-listed and is a local landmark at Glasgow Green.
Andrew McConnell, staff director of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, said: “Everyone at Glasgow Building Preservation Trust is excited that work to restore the West Boathouse is under way.
“It has taken five years of development and collaboration with stakeholders and we’d like to thank the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and all of our other funders and project partners for their continued support in getting us to this milestone.” Caroline Clark,, Scotland director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The restoration of Glasgow Green’s historic West Boathouse means many more people will be able to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits it offers. “Thanks to players of The National Lottery, the transformation of this historic building will bring this stretch of the river back to life, allowing communities to explore and enjoy its natural and cultural heritage.
“As we continue to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, we are delighted to see construction commencing and applaud the Trust, volunteers and the many partners and supporters for their hard work in reaching this exciting point.”
Amy Eastwood, head of grants at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support Glasgow Building Preservation Trust with £360,000 funding for the West Boathouse project as part of our Historic Environment Repair Grant.
“The works will not only repair and conserve the historic West Boathouse, but allow the building to be adapted to provide the local community with accessible facilities and fantastic multi-use spaces.”