Sport England has announced the opening of a new boathouse in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The Amateur Rowing Association’s (ARA) flagship project has been built to encourage Doncaster residents to get onto the water and become active rowers.

The project received £233,165 in funding from Sport England through the Community Club Development Programme (CCDP) to revamp the boathouse from a derelict shed with no toilet or changing facilities into a modern and well-equipped facility.

The boathouse now hosts the Doncaster Rowing Club, which is linked to the government-funded Community Sports Coach scheme.

As part of the scheme, the rowing club provides coaching to 13 local secondary schools – including four schools for children with special needs – through indoor rowing machine sessions.

In addition, more than 3,000 school children across Doncaster have already taken part in the ARA’s National Junior Rowing Programme.

It is hoped that the centre will also attract potential Olympic athletes to train at the club in preparation for London 2012.

David Gent, Sport England’s director of regions, said: “This outstanding new facility provides a huge boost for rowing and sport in the area, helping more people get involved in the sport and reach their potential. It is a great example of how the CCDP is helping revitalise community facilities and boost the clubs that are so vital to sport – now, in the run up to 2012, and beyond.” Details: www.sportengland.org