Rowers of all ages — from near and far, current and retired — and friends and volunteers of the Edmonton Rowing Club gathered in front of the boathouse, cradled their lunch in their laps, and listened to speakers mark the official opening.
The program recognized the work and achievement of the ERC, its members and volunteers in completing the boathouse project, and the contribution of other major project funders, including the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta (Alberta Lottery Fund).
The lineup included Rob Swart, ERC president; architect, ERC rower, and boathouse-instigator Jan Peirzchajlo, who recognized Rob Swart’s contribution to the boathouse project; Sarah Howe, with the University of Alberta Rowing Team; Olympic rower Andrew Hoskins, who started with the ERC; Scott Matheson with PCL Construction Limited, who was the building contractor for the boathouse and rows every year in Row for Kids, the fundraising program he helped found with the ERC in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation; Mike Simonson, with the Alberta Rowing Association; Edmonton Ward 1 councillors Karen Leibovici and Linda Sloan; Mayor Stephen Mandel, who made the boathouse opening Stop 6 his busy 11-stop Saturday; and Alberta Culture and Community Spirit Minister, Lindsay Blackett.
Jack Bennett, one of the ERC’s most dedicated volunteers and a lifetime club member, acted as MC and read remarks from Edmonton Riverview MLA Kevin Taft. Everyone paused with Jack during the reading, as he took a moment to steady his thoughts and his voice: “Here on the banks of the North Saskatchewan, Albertans work, play, create, explore and build communities together. And some of us row. We row for exercise, to enjoy the beauty of the river valley, to reflect, to grow, and to build friendships. The new boathouse adds greatly to the quality of these experiences.
Lynn Zwicky
”
