Bid for boathouse

EXMOUTH Rowing Club could expand into the RNLI's old boathouse - if talks between the town hall and the district council are successful.

At last week's General Purposes and Regeneration Committee meeting, deputy planning Chairman Richard Turner proposed obtaining the old lifeboat station for the popular rowing club, which lies behind the building.

He called for - and got - the support of the town council in obtaining the lease on the building when it becomes available.

And now Cllr Turner and Cllr Mark Williamson are to meet with the district council's corporate director Karime Hassan about the proposals.

Cllr Turner said that over the last 16 years they had become one of the most respected rowing club's in the country.

And it was the only one in East Devon which gave people the chance to take up the sport both recreationally and competitively, nationally and internationally.

He said: "The major drawback to the club is the lack of facilities it can offer both club members and visiting club competitors.

"A club with such an outstanding record in providing help and encouragement to young people...and encouraging national and international clubs to visit the Town, it is very important there isn't adequate facilities for such events."

Cllr Turner said the club only had a temporary cabin and no showers or toilets and that caused 'inconvenience' for competitors - and was 'embarrassing' when visiting clubs came to Exmouth.

"If the lifeboat station was made available it would provide the ideal club premises...it is also ideally situated to provide the slipway for the safe launching and recovery of boats. I think it is ridiculous when the RNLI have the new boat house that they would want to retain the old one. I understand that the RNLI have the option of renewing the lease if they haven't all ready

"But I just don't believe that they need it and it makes them look ridiculous.