November 25, 2003

Rowing Center Boathouse Awarded $300K from Dutchess IDA

County Executive William R. Steinhaus and Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Chairman, Michael Tomkovitch announced today an award of $300,000 toward construction of a community boathouse on the Poughkeepsie waterfront. This follows an announcement in October by County Executive Steinhaus of a $500,000 award secured from the State.

This morning, Andy Mauer, President of the Hudson River Rowing Association (HRRA) and several board members presented architectural plans and outlined their overall fundraising strategy for the boathouse. In addition to the IDA funding, the HRRA has received nearly $100,000 in grants for completion of the architectural design work and another $45,000 solicited by County Executive Steinhaus for construction.

“I have supported this project from the beginning,” said Steinhaus, “because of the importance of re-establishing the historic ‘Boathouse Row’ in Poughkeepsie and enhancing community interest in the waterfront. Rowing has been a historic tradition in Poughkeepsie, and the new boathouse will serve to preserve that tradition. This venture will provide many high school rowers as well as adult rowers from the Association with a secure, clean home-base where they can safely maintain their equipment and sharpen their skills as rowers.”

Located on Vassar College property in the Town of Poughkeepsie, just south of the Marist College Boathouse, this site will be the new home of the Hudson River Rowing Association. The Association is continuing to seek funds from several grant resources. The expectation is to begin construction in 2004.

Mr. Tomkovitch added, “I applaud the County Executive for his insight and support for this project. We are fortunate to have a beautiful resource in Dutchess, our Hudson River; we have the skilled rowers and coaches; and now we will have a facility they can be proud to use.

The IDA hopes that by facilitating great use of the waterfront, Poughkeepsie will once again achieve prominence as a national rowing center for youth and adult rowing and we are pleased to be a part of this venture.”

“The improvement of the Poughkeepsie waterfront is a step-by-step process,” observed County Executive Steinhaus, “and a new community boathouse represents a big step. As I stated when I highlighted this in my 2003 State of the County Address, rowing helps tie us to the Hudson River, reminding us of our historic dependency on the Hudson and perpetuating the river’s role as a principal focus in our daily lives.”
 

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