Ash Bolt
Rowing Geelong has officially opened its new Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre to increase participation in the sport.
Rowing Geelong officially opened the new facility on this month, in front of local dignitaries, the considerable number of donors and the local rowing community.
The project began in 2019 to ensure the growth of the sport in the region, by providing students with facilities to store boats.
“The Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre will provide school students with not only a place to store boats but also change rooms, a kitchen, a large meeting room as well as providing a high-tech coaches room,” Rowing Geelong president Sam Elliott said.
The shed was named in honour of Jeff Sykes and the contribution he had made to the sport of rowing, Mr Elliott said.
Mr Sykes’ history in the sport includes medal wins at World Rowing, Rowing Australia, and Rowing Victoria Championships.
He also founded and developed Sykes Racing into a world-class rowing boat provider in Geelong, with the majority of medals awarded in Australia won in a Sykes.
Mr Elliott said it was a no-brainer to name the centre after Mr Sykes, who was a significant donor in the hope of providing facilities for Geelong’s youth to enjoy the sport he loved.
The project also provided the opportunity to recognised long-time Rowing Geelong office bearers Ian Farran and Brian Digby with a bay named in their honour.
He said the centre was completely funded by donations from the community.
“In August 2019 the executive was approached by a donor willing to contribute a sum of money towards a new boatshed for Rowing Geelong,” Mr Elliott said.
“That very kind donation along with other donations from the general rowing community and funds from Rowing Geelong have led to the creation of the facility we have today.
“Rowing Geelong is very humbled by the incredible generosity of our financial and in-kind donors that have enabled the centre to be wholly community funded.
“When we set out to fundraise for the Centre, not in our wildest dreams did we expect the community to donate like they have. We are very grateful for their contributions.”
Although the facility is completed, Mr Elliott said Rowing Geelong was still seeking additional funds to fully fit-out the high-tech coaching room, office, social and meeting areas, and kitchen.
