SEPTEMBER 2024 RAC UPDATE
Facilities Committee
Another shout out to Schulte Design Build who donated all the carpentry work for the new cubbies and the new walls in Massart building.
The second round of pavers have been fabricated and shipped from New Jersey this week! Installation should be complete by mid-October. We sold 106 new pavers and raised almost $40K.
Focus is shifting toward the campaign for the new Launch house (we need a lead for this role 🙂) We are finalizing the permit submission (likely a year to review it). Construction will be dependent on raising the final ~$300K.
Equity Committee
The STEM to Stern summer rowing camps were held the first two weeks of August.
There were nineteen rowers the first week and fifteen the second. Four of those rowers started with us last summer. We were very excited to welcome them back to the lake.
Each day of camp started with a STEM session. The projects ranged from building structures with pasta and marshmallows and then testing them for strength, making a flashlight using batteries and LEDs and using tessellation (tiling the covering of a surface.) Our STEM coordinator planned some intriguing projects for the kids.
The first day rowers were introduced to water safety rules and then spent time learning the stroke sequence on the ergs with the help of our junior volunteers. After that it was time to get on the water. This year the rowers went out in sweep boats along with junior volunteers. Even though some of them were on the small side their enthusiasm was huge.
The final day of camp ended with a BBQ and racing. The BBQ was attended by younger kids from Bitter Lake who came to cheer on their friends. A few parents were able to take in the racing and they were impressed with their rower’s efforts. It was a pretty hectic afternoon.
The kids completed a survey on the last day of camp. One response to the question “What did you like most about camp?” said it all. THE ROWING. Followed by nineteen exclamation points!
In a follow-up meeting with Crystal Buxton, Bitter Lake Community Center Director, we learned that the kids talked non-stop about rowing, the boats, the junior volunteers and the food.
A few of them wished they could have an overnight stay at the boathouse. Hmm … That’s not on the agenda. Safe to say the summer camp was highly successful and appreciated.
Equipment Committee
A new Whaler (boat lauch) has been purchased and delivered, improving safety overall. We expect to have new boats this fall including a new quad, purchased via the Equipment budget and a new eight, bought through the Lafromboise endowment, meaning no direct cost the program. The committee working on the names of our two new assets.
FOR SALE: Vespoli Singles
We have 3 small singles and a medium single that were purchased during the pandemic to keep kids rowing, yet separated. Lightly used. Contact Sean MacCorkle for more information.
History and Archives Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
The Rowing Advisory Council and Seattle Parks staff have been working diligently to create the 2025 budget to support program activities, away regattas and fundraising for scholarships and equipment. The proposed budget will be submitted to the Associated Recreation Council on Oct 4th for review and approval.
Fundraising Committee
The three big fundraising events for Green Lake are the annual Erg-a-thon and Auction and home regattas (Frostbite, Spring, Summer Extravaganza). The committee recently drafted the 2025 Fundraising Plan that includes these three events plus a few new exciting opportunities for giving! Stay tuned!