A ROWING club has celebrated a "life-changing" refurbishment after receiving a grant of £64,000.
Members of Coalporters Amateur Rowing Club wore their club colours, black and white, last Saturday in celebration of their clubhouse's finished revamp.
The club received "vital funds" to replace the roof, windows, security doors, floors, and toilets.
The funding for the project was provided by the Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Community Fund.
Coalporters, Southampton's oldest rowing club formed in 1875, was officially reopened by the Lord Mayor of Southampton, Jacqui Rayment.
A spokesperson from the Veolia Environmental Trust said: "We were delighted to award Coalporters £64,500.
"The funds enabled them to refurbish their clubhouse. By installing new windows, insulation, and an energy-efficient heating system.
"The club has not only made the facilities more welcoming for members and the local community but has also reduced their carbon footprint.
"We hope the clubhouse is enjoyed by local people for many years to come."
Project manager Jacquelyn Warland Drumgoole who has been a member of the club since she was five years old said the revamp has been a "success".
She said: "It was a great evening and trustees were very proud.
"The clubhouse has been completely renovated. We always had a list of things that needed to be done but we never thought we could do it.
"As the project manager, I worked for four months to apply for the funding which I never imagined we would get so much.
"This project became my baby and the revamp will future-proof our club, especially with rising bills as it has made the clubhouse energy efficient.
"It's fantastic to see how everyone has enjoyed the revamp and we are now working to get a boat storage created under the Northam bridge."
The club's Ladies Masters crew secured their first win this year following the revamp - the first in the club's history.
The club will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025.
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