CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Weld Boathouse re-opened its doors on March 28, allowing the Radcliffe heavyweight and lightweight rowing programs to return to their on-campus home for the first time following eight months of renovations.
Built in 1906, Weld stands as a gateway to the rest of the campus and has gone through periodic and routine maintenance over the last 100 years, but had never undergone a major renovation.
"Our athletes and our coaches are so happy to be home," said
Liz O'Leary, The Friends of Radcliffe Rowing Head Coach for Women's Heavyweight Crew. "Weld is still Weld, but she is shining, she is smiling and she is magnificent!"
"We are thrilled that the care, effort, and hard work to restore this amazing boathouse is almost complete," O'Leary added. "Weld is now as magnificent as she could be with work done both inside and out to provide renovated training spaces, a brightened and cleaned and newly furnished locker room, and up-to-date boat racks in all the bays that will allow for our lightweight and heavyweight squads to have access to all the equipment they need for training and competition.
"After sharing Newell with our men's squads for the past nine months, we look forward to reciprocating as the boathouse renovation project now turns its attention to Newell. Thank you to all who helped make this happen."
Highlights from the renovation include interior and exterior historic building restoration, new and improved locker rooms, new coaching offices, additional training and workout spaces, and improved student spaces.
"Weld Boathouse has become a home to so many Radcliffe rowers over the years,"
Sarah Baker, The David K. Richards '61 Family Head Coach for Radcliffe Lightweight Crew added. "During my time here, I have learned what Weld has meant to many of our alumnae and it became more evident to me how sacred of a place Weld Boathouse is and how it is an anchor for many generations of the women rowers of Radcliffe. From the porch overlooking the water to the erg training room with music blasting, Weld is a special place in which the rowers are brave and test the boundaries of their abilities. We are excited to return home."
