Rowers seeks council, federal cash

Jessica Benton
GEELONG’S oldest rowing club is in talks with council and MPs to secure funding to save its crumbling home.
Barwon Rowing Club secretary Lyn George said the club had been in meetings with City of Greater Geelong, federal MP Richard Marles and state counterpart Ian Trezise about financial assistance.
The club had asked for $120,000 from the City’s next budget and $660,000 from Federal Government, she said.
Authorities ordered repairs to the clubhouse after a balcony collapsed at nearby Corio Bay Rowing Club in 2006, injuring almost 20 people at a 21st birthday party.
Ms George said her club would struggle to stay alive without funding for the upgrade.
“At the moment we’ve got enough funding to take us up to lock-up stage but this additional funding we’re asking for will mean we’ll be able to finish off the clubhouse to a reasonably high standard.
“If we don’t get this funding then we’ll be at lock-up stage with virtually no facilities expect for a boat shed.”
The Independent reported last month that the club was calling for the City to get behind the redevelopment after giving $660,000 to motocross riders for a track in Surf Coast Shire.
Ms George said the club had raised $350,000 for its project.
She expected a response from council and Federal Government in the next three months.
“If we get this funding we’ve got detailed plans ready to go and we’ve also applied for a building permit from the city.”