THBC Renovation Plans

The Latham Boat House, built in 1905, is in urgent need of repair and renovation. Whilst structurally sound, the façade is in need of considerable repair to the timber and decorative mouldings, some of which are in a very poor state. In addition parts of the interior need overhauling, and updating, and we need to provide an environment for pre-rowing warm-up and land training.

Kate Hearle (nee Grose) has kindly drawn up plans for a new gym/studio above the boat bays to the rear, working mainly within the existing structure with a modest increase in height. There is also the possibility of making use of the area of land to the side of the Boat House for additional small boat storage and even the possibility of a small tank facility.

Depending on the money we raise, we will have two options - one simpler and one more ambitious.

Repair

The exterior of the Boat House has been of concern for some time now. The woodwork is clearly in a very poor state, and must be repaired soon to avoid permanent loss. Birds roost in the window sills, and many of the bannister struts have become loose through rot (helped by vandals).

The college is aware that this work is necessary, though because of the scale of the job it is keen to carry out the work at the same time as any additional updates to the building.

Modest Proposal

In order to bring the boat house in line with the facilities currently provided by other college boat clubs on the Cam, we need to create an environment for pre-rowing warm-up and land training.

By building a second floor extension over the boat bays at the back of the Boat House, we can create room for a new gym / studio. This space would be used for land training, with the ergometers and weights stored here. The room would be warm and light, and keep the equipment in better condition. By using the boat bays for storing boats and nothing more, accidents will be reduced and people are likely to do more training!

Because the extension would be built in the eves of the boat bays with only a small increase in height, the new room will be hidden from view from the river, leaving the appearance of the Boat House unchanged.

Ambitious Proposal

Recent changes: New roof design, to match pitch of boat house and allow a glazed roof to light to the tank area.

In addition to the plans laid out above, a second extension is proposed. This would constitute a new building, erected in the space to the right of the boat house. The new building would provide much needed extra storage space for boats, and could also be home to a new rowing tank.

First and foremost, the rowing tank would provide a fantastic resource for the Trinity Hall Boat Club. Coaching can be provided on a individual basis up close, and novices can be taught to row in a much more realistic setting than the currently used rowing machine.

Secondly, as the building will be slightly separated from the main Boat House, we will be able to hire out the tank to other Cambridge colleges. This will be at our discretion and can provide a very valuable stream of income to the club.