Rowing club safe after funding boost (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Rowing club safe after funding boost

12:00pm Tuesday 6th April 2004 in News

The president of West Yorkshire's only rowing club says the future is secure thanks to a funding boost.

Bradford Amateur Rowing club, at Hirst Weir, in Saltaire has been given a total of £134,477.

The award was part of a £250,000 funding bonanza for Bradford's Community sports clubs from Sport England's Community Club Development Programme.

Club President Hugh Scott said: "We are delighted to have received the funding, it has ensured the survival of the club."

Its future was under threat last year when an historic weir used by the club was in danger of collapsing. The total cost of repairs was £107,000. The club used some of the funding to repair a stretch of river at Hirst weir on the River Aire. The second phase of repairs will start in summer, and the remaining funding will be used to refurbish changing rooms.

Any money left over will be used to continue the work of Oarsome, the club's project which aims to encourage children to take an interest in rowing.

The club already works in partnership with Salt's Grammar School, Woodhouse Grove and Bradford Grammar, and the project will be extended to Beckfoot Grammar and Nab Wood Grammar Schools.

Other community sports clubs to benefit from the funding include Keighley Cricket Club, Undercliffe Cricket Club, Bradford and Bingley Rugby Union Football Club and Keighley Rugby Union Football Club.

Keighley Cricket Club has won £24,100 towards building all weather nets in a bid to encourage more youngsters into the sport. Chairman, Bob Chapman said: "We are very excited about the grant and look forward to having the facility."

It is hoped to have them in place by March 2005.

Bradford and Bingley Rugby Union Football Club has also received £36,296.

Club president Duncan Barr said: "We have come up with a programme to increase our membership.

"We will also be improving the first team pitch and buy equipment for the long-term maintenance of the facilities."

Undercliffe Cricket Club will benefit from £43,536. Cricket Chairman, Brian Lymbery, said: "The money will be used to construct two artificial practice wickets and five grass wickets for a specialist practice area.