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It’s been a long road, but we’re finally ready to begin work on the renovation and renewal of the West Boathouse on Glasgow Green! Work is now underway and should be complete by spring 2022.A wee potted history below
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#sportsheritage #glasgow #architecture #rowing
The building has been home to Clyde and Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Clubs since its construction in 1905. It is the only listed rowing club building in Scotland (Category B) and has remained largely unchanged for the past century. 2/12
Competitive rowing on the Clyde began in the mid-1800s. A new weir at Glasgow Green was built in 1852 and this created a 6km long, non-tidal stretch of the river upstream from the Green to Dalmarnock/Cuningar Loop - perfect for a punt! 3/12
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The sport grew in popularity and by the late 1800s there were almost 20 clubs (professional and amateur) based on the river. In the 1930s, the Glasgow Herald reported crowds in excess of 50,000 lining the riverbanks to watch the action! 4/12
Today, there are 6 rowing clubs based above the weir - @clyde_rowing (founded 1865) + @clydesdalearc (founded 1856/7), share the West Boathouse. They are very fond of their home + have worked hard to save the building and encourage wider access and engagement with the sport. 5/12
The timber frame superstructure is unusual in a Scottish context and technologically innovative for its time. Despite its utilitarian function, it is rich in architectural detail, thanks to architect A B MacDonald (also responsible for @GovanhillBaths). 6/12
The building currently faces serious challenges. The below-ground timber foundations are deteriorating rapidly and the exterior cladding is in danger of collapse. Interior facilities are outdated, and the accessibility of the building is, by modern standards, very poor. 7/12
Years of hard work + funding from @HeritageFundSCO, @HistEnvScot, @GlasgowCC, @ArchHFundScot, @RobertsonTrust + William Grant Foundation has secured the building for future generations. The year-long programme of works is led by ARPL Architects and overseen by @GBPTrust. 8/12
The West Boathouse project will sensitively repair, restore and adapt this beautiful building to improve accessibility, upgrade facilities and provide flexible, multi-use spaces. A new pontoon will aid access to the river for disabled users. 9/12
The project aims to change how the boathouse is used and who it is used by – embracing new audiences and encouraging people to re-engage with the River Clyde. The river + banks is home to over 30 species of fish, seals, otters, birds, bugs and other wildlife 
#wildcity 10/12
#wildcity 10/12
Over the past year, we’ve been boatbuilding @ArchipelagoFolk + amazing volunteers from @GDA__online, developing nature walks with @TCVtweets and celebrating the sporting heritage of the east end of the city https://www.guidigo.com/Web/WzgXgttkBQA 11/12 #volunteers
The east end of #Glasgow has a wealth of stories and places to explore, from rowing clubs to bowling greens, dye works and bandana factories to historic court cases ensuring our access rights to the riverbanks. Keep your oar in - https://www.westboathouse.org.uk/ 12/12
