Many of you will be aware that the WRA "Green Shed" is due to be requisitioned by NZTA as part of the cycleway construction, and later demolished as the cycleway will be built through the shed.

The WRA have been having ongoing negotiations over the past two years with NZTA, Iwi and Hutt City Council regarding a replacement building. These negotiations are now complete and NZTA have agreed to build a new rowing facility based on Honiana Te Puni Reserve on the Eastern side (turning left instead of right as you enter the Petone reserve). The rowing race course will remain in place alongside the cycleway/ motorway.

The project plan is currently in front of the Environment Protection Authority, with an outcome expected in March. Tenders will then be called for all parts of the cycleway project with an expected start date of September 2021. Given this is a "shovel ready" project, we are expecting swift progress and the new building is scheduled to be up and ready to move into in March 2022. Under the terms of the agreement, the rowing building needs to be completed before the cycleway construction gets underway.

NZTA is building, at their cost, the building with 2 rowing bays (the same as what we currently have). The Wellington Water-Ski will also have a bay. We have the option in the consent to extend the building to include a third rowing bay. This is up for discussion by the WRA Board, with a presentation to the Board being made in February. The WRC Committee and Board are keen for the extended footprint to go ahead, giving us flexibility for more plant/ trainings to be held at North End. Once we know whether the WRA has approved the extended footprint, there will need to be some very active work around raising the funds.

This is a great outcome for the Wellington Rowing Community.

Article added: Saturday 06 February 2021