Whitlingham Boathouses campaign for new premises

Whitlingham Boathouses Foundation is the new sports charity in Norwich which is giving young people the opportunity to become Olympic stars. It aims to provide for these people as well as the local community with ambitious plans for a new boathouse.

Whitlingham Boathouses provides people of all ages with sports, leisure and fitness facilities. Many of Whitlingham Boathouses's young club members have won medals at national level.

The Foundation provides rowing and canoeing for everyone - whether you want to compete in a kayak or rowing eight - or just enjoy paddling on a sunny afternoon.

Rowing and canoeing are sports for all the family. Children, parents and grandparents can all take part together, as a group enjoying the fun - or more seriously in competitions across a wide age range.

Whitlingham Boathouses Foundation members are split 50-50 male female and people with disabilities are welcomed. Club members pay a subscription but schemes are in place for people who cannot afford to pay. Boats, canoes and other specialist equipment such as buoyancy aids are provided.

Future plans

The current premises are very poor and cannot be accessed easily by wheelchair users and others with mobility problems. The storage facilities for boats, canoes and other equipment are not fit-for-purpose.

Whitlingham Boathouses have secured a site for a new boathouse and have planning permission to erect a state-of-the-art new building which everyone in the community will be able to use and enjoy. It will have ample car parking facilities and will be easily accessed both by public transport and the National Cycle Route.

Unfortunately, new buildings do not come cheap and the planned facility will cost £1million. The charity has already secured over £400,000 in gifts and pledges but they still need to raise the extra £600,000.

For more information about Whitlingham Boathouses visit www.whitlinghamboathouses.co.uk or email campaign.secretary@whitlinghamboathouses.co.uk or call (01603) 443588.