
First Phase Completed of ORC Site Development Thanks to OTF Grant
Ottawa, ON – On Saturday, the Ottawa Rowing Club hosted a celebration of the completion of the first phase of the redevelopment of its large boathouse on banks of the Ottawa River. At the event, the ORC also recognized a $39,800 Operating stream grant it received from the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund, which is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding supported the purchase of additional cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, internet video connectivity for online learning and coach mentoring, computer support and 12 months of electricity and internet subsidies to establish the new programs.
“I sincerely congratulate the Ottawa Rowing Club for this great step in its redevelopment. I also want to thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its contribution to this project. Having had the pleasure to be a member of the club several years ago I can attest that this is an organization that plays an important role to community building, and contributes to community members’ fitness and health. The Ottawa Rowing Club truly deserves this generous amount from OTF’s Community Building Fund.” said Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa-Vanier.
After two years of constrained operations due to the pandemic, the ORC resumed full service to the Ottawa community this summer with recreational and competitive rowing programs for all ages and skill levels from high school students to seniors and masters athletes. The club also offers learn-to-row programs, summer rowing day camps for teenagers and it Adult Rowing League. The ORC is also the home for the varsity rowing teams from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. The ORC has also initiated in 2021 its Everyone Rows Ottawa programming which is an outreach program to community organizations.
The redevelopment of the boathouse was also enabled by a $149,900 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which allowed the winterization of the boathouse’s second floor. This will allow rowers to train with weights and rowing machines at the facility all year round, for the first time in the club’s 125-year history as Canada’s oldest rowing club.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation:
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
For more information, please contact:
Zak Lewis
Head Coach, Ottawa Rowing Club
(902) 995-0776 – Zak@ottawarowingclub.com
This press release was written and released by the Ottawa Rowing Club. Photos are property of the Ottawa Rowing Club.