MARIETTA, Ohio — Great programs deserve great facilities. And after a nearly $1 million renovation to the Lindamood-VanVoorhis Boathouse, the Marietta College men's and women's rowing programs now have one of the best facilities in collegiate rowing to call home.
"It's absolutely beautiful," former women's rower Brooke Exley '11 said after touring the boathouse at the official dedication ceremony in October. "This is going to do wonders for the program."
Originally constructed in 1929 by the Kiwanis Club of Marietta, the boathouse was given to the College in 1930. The unique facility was constructed with grindstones quarried near Marietta. A second floor was added to the boathouse during an extensive renovation in 1974.
The recently completed renovation was done in two phases. Phase I was completed in the summer of 2015 at a cost $220,000. The initial phase consisted of stabilization of the original foundation with helical screws, sandblasting and repointing the mortar joints of the original sandstone structure, new 8x8 swinging bay doors, galvanized steel stair to the second floor, concrete ramp from Bay 3 to the apron and improved lighting in each bay.
Phase II was started immediately following the conclusion of the 2016 spring rowing season in early May and was finished prior to Homecoming this fall. The $580,000 project included razing the existing second floor and constructing a new second story that covers the entire first floor footprint, new gambrel-style roof resembling the original 1929 roof line, improved locker rooms for both teams on the second floor, enlarged Dad Vail Room, multi-purpose meeting space, training space for 40-plus ergs, second floor insulated and air conditioned and a new sliding rack system in each bay.
"The second floor is amazing and the first floor is as good as anything you'll see at a boathouse," former US Olympic and Marietta rower John Strotbeck '79 said. "And let's not forget, we have the best river in the country to train on. Now we have everything you need."
The project was made possible through the generous support of several alumni and friends of Marietta College rowing. Donors included Andrea Haynes Perry '82; the estate of Walter J. Strong '55; Brent C. '76 and Christine S. Haney; James Jr. '79, Barbara '79, Brittany '13 and James III '15 Metcalf; John '79 and Stephanie Strotbeck; The Elliott Thrasher '62 Family; Timothy J. Bennett '85; Lou "Cookie" '83 and Patricia Galletto; Frederic P. '69 and Etta S. Jaakkola; Marc R. '96 and Anita Ponchione; Kevin H. '85 and Christine Zernick Suter '84; James C. '86 and Sharon Brown Zeller '87; Robert C. Dufour '76; Jeffrey C. '77 and Susan S. Hugel; Jeffrey S. '77 and Susan S. Aichele; James R. Brinton '76; Jessica Buchholz Clemens '03 and Scott E. Clemens; Amanda R. Burtt '02; Christopher V. '78 and Beth L. Criss; Robert C. Elkins '78 and Laura Gray; Frederic C. '76 and Pamela Peterson Elliott '75; Kress R. Goldner '63; Marivic and Rodin Punsalan; James S. '69 and Cynthia Buck Wilson '70; and Barbara E. Wolfinger '76 and Stuart Peskoe.
