Dragon boating will soon have a new home in Canberra. A facility will be built at Grevillea Park, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, by the end of this year. More than 600 ACT club members will train and compete at the Grevillea Park facility, while interstate visitors will participate in local and regional regattas.
The ACT Government invested $1.7 million, and Dragon Boat ACT a further $200,000. DragonBoat ACT will run and maintain the facility.
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Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, thanked Dragon Boat ACT for their ongoing advocacy for the sport and collaboration with the ACT Government on the project.
“Dragon boating is a really inclusive sport with a high number of women making up its membership,” Ms Berry said. “It’s also a sport that continues to grow in popularity in Canberra.”
“Dragon Boat ACT is delighted that the ACT Government has recognised our sport and worked together with us for a permanent home for dragon boating in the ACT,” president Donald Jenkin said.
“After decades of operating from temporary facilities, we look forward to seeing our new facility begin to take shape at Grevillea Park.”
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The facility, designed by Cox Architecture, will include boat storage, training and timekeeping rooms, office space and meeting rooms, amenities and changerooms, room for erg paddling machines, and a marshalling area.
The design was “sympathetic to the surroundings”, Ms Berry said.
“The new home for dragon boating will be a welcome addition to Lake Burley Griffin’s shoreline.”
Local construction company Projex will construct the facility.
“Projex has significant experience in the ACT constructing commercial, government, and educational facilities, among other projects,” Mr Jenkin said. “The building design by Cox is wonderful, and we look forward to the completion of our new headquarters in the ACT.”
