Jeff Sykes opens his rowing centre

ROWING Geelong has celebrated the completion of its new community-funded rowing centre, with the facility’s namesake on hand to officially open it on Friday last week.

The Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre replaces a much smaller boat shed on the same site on the northern bank of the Barwon River, and provides school students from the wider Geelong region with not only a place to store boats but also changerooms, a kitchen, a large meeting room and a coaches’ room.

Rowing Geelong president Sam Elliott was pleased to see the $1.5 million centre come to fruition so soon, as initial talks with the major donor started only two and a half years ago.

“In August 2019, the executive were approached by a donor willing to contribute a sum of money towards a new boatshed for Rowing Geelong.

“That very kind donation along with other donations from the general rowing community and funds from Rowing Geelong have led to the creation of the facility we have today.”

The centre is named after world champion rower and Geelong resident Jeff Sykes to honour the enormous contribution he has made to the sport.

As well as medal wins at World Rowing, Rowing Australia, and Rowing Victoria championships, Mr Sykes founded and developed Sykes Racing into a world-class rowing boat manufacturer in Geelong.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Sykes said the centre’s statement of purpose was effectively for “Geelong school students to practice the art of rowing and to do rowing, provided they don’t have a boat shed of their own”.

“I knew the centre was necessary because of the way rowing’s gone here in Victoria, and all around Australia and probably around the world; it’s become very school-based.”

He said Australia’s rowing teams were historically mostly made up of students from private schools, but the centre would give all students the chance to row.

Mr Elliott said Rowing Geelong was humbled by the generosity of the financial and in-kind donors that enabled the centre to be built without any government funding support.

“When we set out to fundraise for the centre, not in our wildest dreams did we expect the community to donate like they have.

“We are very grateful for their contributions.

“We must also thank our construction partners, Spence Constructions for creating such an incredible facility to such a high standard and finish.

“Even with the challenges around COVID-19 restrictions and supply shortages in the construction industry, Spence Constructions were still able to handover the centre prior to the start of the rowing season.”

Although the facility is completed, Rowing Geelong is still seeking additional funds to fully fit out the coaching room, office, social and meeting areas, and kitchen.
Donations to the project can be made through the Australian Sports Foundation or by emailing Mr Elliott at [email protected].