Boat Sheds

Although the June 1930 Echoes notes “that …. A site for a clubhouse has been discussed”… and “plans are being prepared”, it was not until 1963 that the school established its own boat shed. In the early years, the boat shed and facilities of the Derwent Rowing Club, and then the Mercantile Rowing Club at Cornelian Bay, were used.

In the mid 1930’s boat club headquarters moved to the Buckingham Rowing Club. It is interesting to note that the 1963 Echoes records that , “….the rowing programme was held up for several weeks at the beginning of the first term, owing to the silting up of New Town Bay in front of the Buckingham Rowing Club’s sheds, from where the School crews were operating.”

The move to establish the current sheds on the Lallaby road reserve was first mentioned the 1961 Echoes. It was a project “in hand or at the planning stage” in 1962 and the sheds were opened on Saturday 2 November 1963. Rowing supporters raised £2,500.00 which was approximately half the cost of the materials for the shed.

Much of the Lallaby Road Reserve is reclaimed land, with the original high water mark being close to the edge of the existing road and turning circle. A 1955 survey drawing shows the location of the wrecks of the schooner “Monarch” and “Beautiful Star”, to be below the current car parking area.

Continual upgrading of the facilities at Lallaby Road has occurred since 1963, including the ways being completed in 1993 and the Potter Wing in 1998. Our latest addition includes new showers, toilets, kitchen and a wonderful new gathering space, and was opened by Principal John Green in December 2007.