National Lottery gives West Boathouse a sporting future!

The National Lottery has confirmed a grant of £1.37m to Glasgow Building Preservation Trust to redevelop a historic boathouse on Glasgow Green.
Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the Rejuvenation of the West Boathouse project will open up the River Clyde to all by removing barriers in order to enjoy and share the social, physical and psychological benefits of being part of a diverse river community.  The project will redevelop the historic timber structure into a fully shared and accessible facility to enable other groups to utilise the building and access the river Clyde.

Image: Peter Devlin

Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said:
“With the European Rowing Championships coming to Scotland for the first time in its history in eight weeks’ time, the popularity of the sport is on the increase. We’re delighted that, thanks to players of the National Lottery, a building which has great sporting heritage and associations with Glasgow 2018 Ambassador Karen Bennett and Dame Katherine Grainger will be able to open its doors to local people and allow them to enjoy the river on their doorstep.”   
Glasgow Building Preservation Trust (GBPT) have been working with volunteers from two rowing clubs and the project team to develop proposals for the listed building and an activity plan to promote use of the building and the river through a series of events and activities to appeal to wider audience – encouraging everyone to engage with the river and the heritage of the site.
John Entwistle, Chair of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust said:
“We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund have re-confirmed their long-standing support for this project – from their initial Start-Up Grant to the rowing clubs in 2015, through funding the project development and now this final grant award.  We are grateful to the National Lottery players who, through the Heritage Lottery Fund, have been essential in our work to save historic buildings in Glasgow, such as the West Boathouse.” 
In addition to HLF award, GBPT have also secured capital funding from Historic Environment Scotland, the Robertson Trust, Glasgow City Council, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Turtleton Charitable Trust and the Mickel Fund.  This follows development funding previously awarded by Architectural Heritage Fund, William Grant Foundation, Glasgow City Council, MyPark Scotland public appeal and the Spirit of Calton Fund.
The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Eva Bolander, said:
“Glasgow is proud of its built heritage and the river from which so much wealth and pride has flowed.  It is fantastic news that the National Lottery players, through the Heritage Lottery Fund, have confirmed their support for this unique project which seeks to reconnect communities with the Clyde.” 
With total project costs of £2.7m identified, GBPT will spend the next year developing the proposals and raising the remaining funding before starting work in spring 2019, with completion anticipated in 2020.
Further information can be found on the project website.