New £1million rowing facilities that aim to secure the next generation of Olympians have been opened in style with a celebration on the River Tyne.

The Duchess of Northumberland met the rising stars of North East rowing when she officially opened the impressive new boathouse at Tyne Amateur Rowing Club (ARC), Newburn.

A fleet of fishing vessels from the NE Maritime Trust, Red Seal rescue boats, private steam launches, the Sea Cadets, Marine Police and Port of Tyne supported by the Royal Navy, joined in a sail past of the state-of-the-art building in a celebration of the role of the river past and present.

Rowers from across the region then took to the water to compete in the annual Tyne Regatta, one of the oldest events of its kind in the country.

The Duchess said:

‘I am delighted to celebrate the opening of the new clubhouse, which I’m sure, will not only provide an excellent breeding ground for future British rowers but will become a key asset to the local community.

‘It is apparent that a lot of hard work has taken place to get the club where it is today and I have no doubt with this facility, the club will be able to draw upon its experience and history and project itself into the future, perpetuating rowing on Tyne.’

The boathouse has been financed by National Lottery funding from Sport England, Newcastle City Council, donations from local businesses including engineering firm Reece Group, and a £250,000 bequest from John Dalkin, a Tyne Rowing Club member who passed away in 2010.

Club Chairman, Simon Dobson, said:

‘As one of the country’s oldest sporting clubs, which has nurtured and developed rowing talent for over 160 years, this new clubhouse will help us to provide for many generations to come.

‘We have thriving adult and junior squads, and through offering such dedicated and modern facilities, we hope to increase participation in rowing.’

The impressive two-story building will provide training facilities for its 200 plus members, the local community and charities including the Percy Hedley Foundation, Thirteen Group, Veterans at Ease and Visually Impaired North East. Sporting, conference, and hospitality facilities are also available for use by the wider community. Tyne Rowing Club will also continue to work closely with Newcastle University.

Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, has championed plans for the new development from the outset. She said:

‘I am really thrilled to take part in this celebration of the River Tyne’s proud history.  Hopefully, the new facilities will help to encourage even more people from all backgrounds across Newcastle to have a go at rowing, along this fantastic stretch of water.’

North East engineering firm Reece Group, based in the nearby Armstrong Works, has sponsored the building of the boathouse as part of their commitment to supporting organisations in the West of Newcastle.

Reece Group CEO, Phil Kite, said:

‘We are pleased to be playing a part in supporting this new clubhouse that we hope will continue the strong tradition of rowing on the Tyne and also provide more community facilities to this area of Newcastle.’