Purdue, WL to dedicate new boathouse
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University and the city of West Lafayette will dedicate the new Purdue Crew Boathouse on the Wabash River during an event beginning at 3 p.m. Friday (Nov. 19).
A reception will follow from 3:30-4:30 p.m., during which time the building will be open for pubic viewing. An alumni row is planned for 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 20), to be followed by a brunch beginning at 9:30 a.m. and an alumni meeting from 10:15-11:15 a.m.
The boathouse, which includes a section available to the community, was completed on April 23. The $1.7 million facility stands on the west bank of the Wabash River near Levee Plaza. The nearly 180 student-athletes who participate on the Purdue Crew team, part of Purdue's Division of Recreational Sports, began using the facility this fall. More than 165 Purdue Crew friends and alumni contributed to the project.
"Thanks to this support, the new boathouse will enliven the riverfront area," said Purdue President France A. Cordova. "The new location provides a better stretch of river for practicing and racing, better viewing opportunities for spectators, and many options for public use. This has been yet another successful university-community partnership and it's focused on the student experience."
The 22,000-square-foot, two-story boathouse includes four boat bays, a maintenance bay, two workout areas, an alumni reception area and restrooms. One bay has been designated for public use. The boathouse is owned by Purdue and is on land purchased by the city of West Lafayette. The West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission last month gave the city parks department authority to manage the city's share of the facility for rental, public activities and events.
West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis said the community bay initially will be used for leasing space to store personal rowing shells, canoes and kayaks. There also will likely be on-the-water recreational programs conducted by independent contractors in the future. With help from the Purdue Crew, a community rowing program may be started.
Organized in 1949, the Purdue Crew is among the oldest university club sports in the nation. Both the men's and women's teams compete nationally.
Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, 765-494-2084, jnorberg@purdue.edu
Sources: France A. Cordova, president@purdue.edu
Sandy Calfo, assistant coach and rigger, 231-220-5506, scalfo@purdue.edu
John Dennis, 765-775-5100, mayor@westlafayette.in.gov
David Kucik, Purdue Crew head coach, 765-491-4700, dwk@purdue.edu
Joe Payne, 765-775-5110, jpayne@westlafayette.in.gov
Howard Taylor, director, Division of Recreational Sports, 765-494-3114, hhtaylor@purdue.edu
Video on boathouse https://www.purdue.edu/boilerbytes/boiler_bytes/boilerbytes12/boathouse.html