The construction of the $2.6 million purpose-built Murray Bridge Regional Rowing Centre is now complete and it has made a striking impact on the Sturt Reserve river front at Murray Bridge.
Three levels of government, Local, State and Federal, partnered with the Murray Bridge Rowing Club and the SA rowing community to complete the project which started in 2016 when the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing provided $360,000 in funding through the Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program.
The project used the initial grant to leverage additional funding from the Australian Government Building Better Regions fund in 2018 and subsequently the Rural City of Murray Bridge, as part of the Sturt Reserve Master Plan in 2020.
The project includes five rowing boat storage sheds incorporating a gym and change rooms, a community function space, new public toilets and an upstairs judges' tower.
Concurrent projects included the building of a floating pontoon to launch rowing boats on the river and a community art project recognising the achievements of the Murray Bridge rowing eight (known as the 'Cods'), that represented Australia at the 1924 Olympic Games.
The facility was officially opened on Friday 29 January 2021 by Hon Tony Pasin Member for Barker, Hon Adrian Pederick Member for Hammond and Mayor Brenton Lewis.
Murray Bridge Rowing Club Life Member Chris McRae unveiled the commemorative plaque.
On Saturday 30 January 2021, the Murray Bridge Annual Rowing Regatta was hosted in the new facility.
650 rowers entered events during the day. Clubs from across SA attended as well as the the Wentworth Rowing Club in NSW.
