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Vero Beach Rowing youth members work to stay in sync as they skim over the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. The eight-oar “Ellie Bell” is named after one of the rowers. Photo by Greg Hills

At last! After years spent searching for a protected site where they could build a boathouse and launching ramp, members of Vero Beach Rowing are looking forward to breaking ground at the MacWilliam Park boat basin. The long-hoped-for Community Rowing Center is finally going to become a reality, a place where young and old will have an opportunity to experience the sport that members say has enhanced their lives. Plans call for a number of rowing program offerings, including ones for breast cancer survivors, handicapped individuals with a special focus on wounded veterans, and disadvantaged youth. And that’s just the short list.

This effort has taken a never-give-up attitude that began in 2008 when a handful of rowing enthusiasts got together and formed the Indian River Rowing Club, recently renamed Vero Beach Rowing. Home base was the C-54 canal four miles north of Fellsmere; the remote location was great for rowing, not so great for generating community interest in the sport. As Todd Young, Vero Beach Rowing president and master rower points out, “The water was protected, but the location was simply too far away. It took a lot for someone to drive close to an hour to get there. We knew that if we were going to create a rowing culture here we had to move to Vero.” 

Three years ago, thanks to support from the City of Vero Beach, the nonprofit relocated to the banks of the Indian River Lagoon under the Alma Lee Loy Bridge at 17th Street. The site was more accessible but far from ideal due to rocky launching conditions, rough water and unpredictable winds. Members considered it a temporary fix until they could find a more suitable site. Again, with the City’s help, they found a new site located just north of the Barber Bridge. With a 25-year renewable lease in place, Vero Beach Rowing is ready to put down permanent roots.

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