SWANAGE Sea Rowing Club’s new £350,000 boathouse has been officially opened at a ceremony attended by civic dignitaries.

Saturday’s grand opening marked the end of many years of planning, campaigning and fundraising for the project.

Around 200 people visited the boathouse throughout the day, organisers said.

Club chairman Martin Steeden said: “This is more than just a boathouse – it will become a ‘gateway to the sea’ for individuals and groups wanting to improve their health and wellbeing.

“In addition to sea rowing, we will run indoor fitness sessions, courses on sea safety and essential boat repair and maintenance.”

On the opening ceremony club secretary Gill Jennings told the Daily Echo: “The opening went very well. Lots of people from the community turned up to support us, and representatives from our funders. Even after the ceremony people from the town kept coming in to have a look. It was a big success.”

The new building, at Encombe Road, Swanage, is faced with local Purbeck stone and is set into the hillside with an environmental green roof. It will house the club’s sea gigs and provide the club with a permanent base, an indoor training area and changing facilities.

Mr Steeden said: “This is a state-of-the-art facility which we will be able to share with the local community and provide something for everyone.”

Representatives of contributors Dorset Chalk and Cheese – who donated 45per cent of the total costs – De Moulham Trust, Valentine Charitable Trust, Talbot Village Trust, Canford Environmental, British Rowing, and Swanage Town and Purbeck District councils attended the opening A club spokesman explained: “The club will now have suitable facilities that will allow it to extend its commitment to community groups, schools and young people in the area.

“It organises a variety of local and national event with the members, including social rowing, participating in the annual Thames Great River Race and racing with gigs competing at regattas across the south west with other clubs.”