Boathouse Update

In 2010, the long-term development of the Cantabs Boathouse was planned in three phases:

1. Build the extension to the current boathouse
2. Fit out the extended boathouse
3. Secure the freehold of the property before the lease expires in 2037

This pages illustrates our progress through phases 1 & 2. We are currently exploring options for further extensions and enhancements and expect to be back in fundraising mode to support this in due course; all donations will be very much appreciated!

Timeline

2002 Cantabs secures the lease on the old Simoco boathouse: a single open room with boat racking and an electricity supply.

Over the next few years, members connect the boathouse to water and sewerage systems, install toilets and create a weight-training room.  A Portakabin is added to hold ergs (rowing machines).

2010 Cantabs obtains initial planning consent to extend the boathouse by both increasing the footprint to allow more boat storage and adding a second floor to accommodate land-training and crew meeting and changing space.

2011-12 Funds are raised from member donations and grants from Sport England and British Rowing, which allow work to start.

November 2012 The Portakabin is moved by Cantabs members and piling work begins.  Unusually wet weather and the very heavy clay substrate cause delays.

January 2013 Pouring concrete for extended floor is delayed by cold weather.  Cantabs members build outdoor racking and start to move boats outside, using a marquee to provide some protection from the elements.  Moving remaining boats out of the boat house is delayed by high winds.  Contractors use a warmer spell of weather to pour the concrete floors.

February 2013 Remaining boats are cleared from boathouse and stored on outdoor racks. Cantabs members decommission the electrical supply from boat bays and remove metal sheeting and some beams and purlins from the roof structure.

They also remove all inner chipboard from walls and disassemble a concrete-side wall and its wooden cladding, relocate lockers and other equipment to the remaining under-cover corner of the boathouse. Battery-powered lighting is set up for erg room (Portakabin).

March 2013  The steel framework for the new building is delivered and work starts to erect it.  Lack of co-operation from the weather continues, with unseasonably low temperatures delaying work.  However, with the first of the roof beams in place, the shape of things to come starts to emerge.

April 2013 Purloins are added and the majority of the roof is installed.  The specified over-hang is not yet in place.  Once roof is complete, work can begin up the floor for the upper level, and then on the new first new wall, assuming the necessary funds can be raised!

May 2013 Additional materials are on order to create the roof overhang.  Some of the spacers in the roof need to be straightened for aesthetic reasons.  Guttering fitted each side of roof.

June 2013 The steel  frame-work around the top of the lift shaft is fitted. Roofing work completed.

July 2013 Scaffolding removed. Several larger boats moved back into the boathouse. Site cleared of debris in preparation for Bumps Supper.  Work started on new wooden side-wall.

August 2013 Work on side wall continues.  Pace of work is limited by rate at which money can be raised.

September 2013 Slatted side wall largely completed.  Work starts on end wall.  One indoor rack for sculls re-instated and an outdoor rack is installed along the side wall.

October 2013 Drainage ditches were dug and work continued on the new walls.

November 2013 Doors for the new boathouse bay were fitted and downpipes were installed.

December 2013 Part of old Weights Room cut away to allow for VIIIs storage.

January 2014 Work started on carcassing of first floor. A working party of members built a path through the water-logged clay around the boathouse.

February 2014 After a period of prolonged heavy rain and high river levels, the boathouse was briefly flooded. Fortunately, the water only reached a depth of a few inches and there was no significant damage. Water levels fell within ~12 hours, so order was quickly restored.  Work continued on carcassing of first floor.

March 2014 New VIIIs racking was installed and VIIIs were moved to the new racks, allowing carcassing work for the first floor to continue over the space the VIIIs previously occupied.  Grass reinforcement matting was installed to help stabilise the space between the boathouse and the hard, especially during wet weather.

April – June 2014 Carcassing work for the first floor continued as funds allowed.

July 2014 Upper floor joist installation completed and the steel balcony decking and balustrades are fabricated.  Installation of balcony decking begins.

August 2014 Installation of balcony decking and top rail completed. Work started on installing the floor for the upper storey.

September-December 2014 Installation of the upper floor was completed. A walkway down the ditch-side of the boathouse was constructed.

January 2015 The external fire wall was installed, and front cladding completed. Installation of the external walls at the rear began.

February 2015 The lift shaft was formed, and fire-resistant insulation board applied to first floor. Electrical first fix began. Work interrupted by theft of some tools from the boathouse. Installation of side windows began.

March 2015 Installation of side windows competed and cladding added to surrounding wall. First layers of fire-lining over old VIIIs rack and internal boarding were installed.

April 2015 Lights installed in boat bays. Staircase was installed.

May 2015 Bi-fold glass doors delivered. Measuring up for remaining glass completed. Carcass for shower and accessible toilet constructed.

June 2015 Plastering of ground floor ceiling and the first floor walls. Staircase was completed. Walls around shower and disabled toilet completed.

July 2015 Work completed on the ditch-side wooden walkway and the internal lining of the lift shaft.

August 2015 Last parts of glazing installed and flooring completed. Outside cladding completed.

September 2015 Floor-covering laid on first floor. First coat of paint applied to walls, by club members. Upstairs hosted its first event – the club AGM