By Luke Voogt
A new landing ramp will prevent rowers from falling in the Barwon River or destroying their expensive boats, a local club president says.
Barwon River Rowing Club president Laura Green said the previous algae-ridden ramp had put rowers at risk of serious injury.
“This is about getting both our athletes and our fleet onto the water safely,” she said,
Ms Green said local rowers had spent up to 15 hours a week cleaning the slime from the previous ramp.
She joined local rowing officials welcoming Water Minister Lisa Neville on Monday morning, as she visited the ramp’s construction site.
“It’s moving pretty quickly as you can see,” Ms Neville said. “It’s going to be a really great facility.”
The Bellarine MP committed $700,000 for the $850,000 ramp, which she said would secure Geelong “as one of the state’s premier rowing destinations”.
Ms Neville said rowing created more than $2.7m in economic benefits to Geelong each year.
“This ramp is for every event down here – to ensure that rowing can continue safely.”
Rowing Geelong president Phil Ryan said more than 1000 rowers and eight clubs would benefit from the new ramp.
“We are really pleased this is finally happening,” he said.
Demolition of the old landing took place in October and the new ramp will likely be complete by the end of December.
Geelong council and Rowing Geelong contributed the remainder of the funding for the ramp.
A number of elite rowers began their careers on the Barwon River, like Rio Olympian Jennifer Cleary.
Established in 1870, the Barwon River Rowing Club is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Victoria.
