Crossley turns to town in hopes of keeping rowing program afloat
Pelham school’s rowing delegation says at least two races lost due to faulty equipment
In “desperate need” of new boats and equipment, E.L. Crossley’s rowing team is asking for financial assistance to help keep its secondary school program running.
Members of the Crossley high school rowing team addressed Pelham town council last week, describing faulty equipment crews are using on the water, and the impact, not only on program results but potential scholarships for student-athletes.
Student Kaitlyn Furney began rowing in Grade 8 and told council she “immediately fell in love with the sport.” Her goal was to obtain a scholarship to row competitively at the post-secondary level, and like many of her teammates is relying on it to attend university.
Furney said the team attended last summer’s Dominion Day Regatta in Toronto, and while the crew was racing down the water — and attempting to turn — her seat fell off when its wheels broke.
“We were in really good shape in the beginning and then we ended up losing that race that we should have won,” she said.
“There’s so many other things that happen to other crews, like riggers falling off, which leads to boats flipping, there are blades that break, more seats and footstops that fall apart.”
The goal for the Crossley rowing team is to win races, get recognition for the team and have good technique on the water, but Furney said “we can’t do that with faulty equipment.”
Representing the team and speaking about its fundraising efforts, Pauline Oliver said as it’s not a club, the team is not eligible for grants or scholarships, and is in “desperate need of boats and equipment.”
“These kids race in May and June, so if we don’t have enough boats they’re not going to be racing in all the races they can perform in,” said Oliver.
Crossley lost two boats over the last season to significant damage, with an estimated replacement cost of about $20,000 to $50,000 each (for used boats).
It also costs about $10,000 a year for the purchase of new oars and equipment, and repair and replacement parts for older boats. Another $8,000 a year is required as part of the team’s contingency fund to help pay for unexpected equipment and regatta expenses during the season.
Oliver said any financial help would do, but having council help pay an outstanding bill of $9,000, for one boat on order, would be “truly amazing.”
“We’ve mostly done small fundraisers. We had a goal actually of $100,000 to raise in the next year and a half for boats because they’re so bad,” she said.
“We’ve raised maybe about $10,000 since last summer. We can’t drain the parents anymore, we’ve got to go to the community.”
Ward 2 Coun. John Wink said the request comes outside the town’s budget process, but did ask staff to put together a report as to any leeway council has to provide financial help.
“Crossley has been an amazing ambassador for this community,” he said, calling it the “gold standard” for rowing programs across the country.
“If there’s any one sport in this area, rowing is the sport in this area that produces all those scholarships in the United States. I think it’s worthwhile that we have a look at what we can do to support them.”
E.L. Crossley has won 11 consecutive national championships and ranks first in gold medals won at the Canadian Secondary School Regatta between 1939 and 2023.
Crossley rowers have won 154 gold medals, followed by Brentwood College in Mill Bay, B.C., with 103 and Ridley College in St. Catharines with 94.
Ward 3 Coun. Bob Hildebrandt asked about sponsorship options, but Oliver said “we were pretty much turned down” when the program reached out to boat manufacturers. While at a regatta in Philadelphia, crews had two boats break down, costing the program $5,000 to rent boats for one race.
“There was probably three boat companies (there) and we talked to them a little bit about needing boats and the best they could do was give us something to raise money,” she said.
Ward 1 Coun. Kevin Ker suggested it is “probably time” for E.L. Crossley to establish a formal alumni association — a separate entity from the school — that would make the program eligible for grants and other funding opportunities.
Town chief administrative officer Cribbs said staff can produce a report by April 17, which will also provide councillors a clearer understanding of where the budget winds up.
Corporate services director Teresa Quinlin-Murphy said she would look into options for writing grants on behalf of E.L. Crossley rowing.
Crossley has been an amazing ambassador for this community. JOHN WINK COUNCILLOR