Five-figure cash boost for Eskmuthe Rowing Club

Eskmuthe Rowing Club is celebrating after being named one of 11 projects across 10 local authorities in Scotland to receive a share of more than £900,000 from the Sport Facilities Fund.

The rowers are planning to build a new boatshed which will allow them to increase participation in coastal rowing in the local community.

The new building will not only provide adequate storage for the club’s two existing boats ‘Honesty’ and ‘Steedie Falconer’ but will also provide space for them to build a third boat and grow the sport.

The cash aid is made possible through National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.

Club members also want to make the facility available to the wider community through partnerships with local organisations based around the harbour and waterfront, and for community events.

Gaynor Allen, chairperson of Eskmuthe Community Rowing Club, welcomed the funding.

She said: “We have been working towards getting our own boatshed for about five years and it has been a long, slow process.

“We have planning permission and hope to get a building warrant in the next few weeks.

“We have also agreed the terms of a lease with East Lothian Council and this should be finalised soon.

Coastal rowers from Musselburgh enjoy some practice prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and are now looking forward to a new boatshed in the future

“The location is in the Back Sands car park in Fisherrow, on the seven parking spaces between the Fishermen’s Association building and the electric vehicle parking stations.

“We have tried to make the boatshed as sustainable as possible and are using Durisol blocks, which are made of 90 per cent recycled pallets.

“These bricks are designed for an element of self-build and we are hoping our members will be able to put up the walls.

“Two thirds of our new boatshed will be used for maintenance of the boats and the remaining third will be the clubhouse and be used for meetings and get-togethers for club members.

“All members will have access to the club and we also hope to do some fitness classes in the building.

“We also plan to open up to the wider harbour community and for the building to be used as a base for Loony Dooks and beach cleans.”

She added: “The club has been working on this project for the best part of five years and it is fantastic to see us so close to having our own premises at Fisherrow Harbour.

“Eskmuthe is a community club and has grown from strength to strength.

“We have a growing waiting list and are happy to take on new people as soon as we are able to under the Covid restrictions.

“Coastal rowing is a brilliant sport and is good to promote better health and wellbeing and fitness.

“We are a totally inclusive club and happy to work with more vulnerable people in our community and encourage them to row.

“We fully expect our boatshed to enhance our club and the wider community and look forward to it being fully operational.”

Coastal rowers from Musselburgh enjoy some practice prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and are now looking forward to a new boatshed in the future

Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, welcomed the funding, saying: “This latest investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund will help make a real impact in communities in Scotland.

“Over the last year we have seen the vital role sport and physical activity has played in supporting our communities to stay connected and be more active.”

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: “It is fantastic to see the ambition and commitment from the people behind these projects who are working to improve the lives of their local communities.

“We know that sport and physical activity can play a part in Scotland’s recovery from Covid-19.

“Facilities like these will not only allow more people to participate but can also provide a place for communities to come together and support one another as we work our way out of these challenging times.”