After nearly two years of renovations and repairs, the East Park Canoe House will be available for use by Temple University’s rowing teams this fall.
The building was dedicated last Thursday to Gerry Lenfest, a longtime university trustee who heads a foundation that has given $3 million to the project. The Philadelphia Police Marine Unit will share the space with Temple.
Parks and Recreation officials and Temple rowers reveal a commemorative plaque at the dedication of the newly renovated East Park Canoe House. /Courtesy Alain Joinville
Kathryn Ott Lovell, commissioner of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the canoe house is invaluable to Temple and the city.
“Parks and Recreation is dedicated to preserving historic structures within our park system,” she said in a prepared statement. “The East Park Canoe House is an incredible asset to the City of Philadelphia and Temple University. I am very thankful for Mr. Lenfest’s contribution to ensuring Temple University Rowing has the high-quality resources it deserves.”
/Courtesy Alain Joinville
The Temple News reported last April that the university’s rowing teams would be able to move into the building last June. Delays in construction and renovation, however, prevented use of the canoe house during the fall season.
The building’s exterior, locker rooms and public restrooms were all updated, and there is also a new public dock which was paid for by the university and members of the Philadelphia Rowing and Regatta communities.
/Courtesy Alain Joinville
Temple President Richard Englert lauded Lenfest for his contribution to the project.
“This dedication is only possible because of the amazing philanthropy of our Trustee, Gerry Lenfest, who stepped in to save our crew and rowing teams and breathe new life into this historic canoe house,” he said in a prepared statement. “The revival of this beautiful structure shows what can happen when Temple and the City of Philadelphia work together to benefit the community and create a truly excellent venue that will serve students for decades to come.”
/Courtesy Alain Joinville
Along with Lenfest, the city contributed $2.5 million to the building. The project is a 2017 Grand Jury Award winner by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, which acknowledges its work in the region for historic preservation. The East Park Canoe House is on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
Murphy Quigley Company was the lead construction group on the project and SMP Consultants led design efforts. Other companies included Heritage Design Collaborative, BHG Consulting, Mulhern Electric Company, Dolan Mechanical and General Asphalt Paving of Philadelphia.
/Courtesy Alain Joinville
Before the boathouse renovations, the crew and rowing teams stored their boats in outside tents, The Temple News reported. Poor weather conditions exposed them to damage.
“The boats bake in the summer and freeze in the winter,” Temple crew coach Brian Perkins said. “There’s no shelter from the elements at all.
