Oakland Strokes

On Friday, August 28th at 10am the Oakland Strokes and the East Bay Regional Park District are breaking ground at Tidewater Avenue, site of the new home for our rowing program! For event details, download the PDF invitation.

The decade-long plans were put in motion August 9th when the Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved the building of three structures consisting of two boathouses and one office/residence for a park employee. One boathouse will house the Oakland Strokes while the second boathouse could possibly be the home of a masters rowing program or other aquatic related programs. The buildings are scheduled for occupancy by September 2010!

Construction on land has already begun and, with the imminent approval of the US Army Corps Of Engineers, dredging will begin soon as well. The dredging work will support the installation of a 140-foot dock capable of launching two eights at once, as well as installation of extra pilings to accommodate future extension of the dock to 280 feet, which would give much-needed breathing room for our ever expanding program. The extended dock could happen now if anyone wants to contribute $150,000! ;-)

It’s exciting stuff! So, come join us at the Groundbreaking Ceremony on August 28th, or just drop by the jobsite when you have a chance… but don’t bother the construction workers! We’ve worked hard and long to get this project underway and we want the workers to do a “Power 10” so we can move in as soon as possible!