Bann Rowing Club

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A detached, symmetrical two-storey gabled boathouse, built c. 1900, comprising brick construction at ground floor with an upper level of timber, punctuated by breakfront gables. Rectangular on plan, having a single bay, a modern two-storey extension to the north, connected to the boathouse by a flat-roofed linking block. The building was restored, refurbished and extended c. 1994, and currently contains boathouse facilities with a restaurant dining room above.

Pitched slate roof with pierced terracotta ridge tiles; lower pitched roofs over three breakfront gables with brick chimney to that of east having banding and two replacement clay pots; painted timber barge-boards to gables. Ogee cast-iron (some aluminium) rainwater goods to projecting eaves, mounted on plain timber fascia to exposed rafters. Walling is exposed Flemish bonded red-brick to ground floor (unless otherwise stated), having a projecting base course; upper floor projects out slightly and comprises horizontal, painted timber weather-boarding, punctuated by vertical posts. Generally segmental-headed four-paned casements (unless otherwise stated) having projecting painted sills (masonry at ground level, timber to upper), replacement wired glass in repaired timber casements.

Asymmetrical principal elevation faces the river to the west, four openings wide at ground floor with a small high-level window to left and modern metal staircase contained within brick projecting end-bay, lit by squared window. Flush, reconstituted stone sills to main windows. Upper level is six openings wide; twin gables rise from right and left centre having single window to each with small pane in head. Modern timber and glazed double-leaf doors to centre and far-left, the latter having a contemporary pitched porch on painted columns over.

North elevation is abutted by recessed, flat-roofed two-storey extension, which is timber sheeted with square-headed, twelve-paned timber casement windows to each level on both cheeks. North is abutted by modern two-storey masonry extension with oversized hipped roof supported on painted columns. Architecturally separate, the construction and materials are contemporary but executed in style similar to boathouse. Remaining north elevation is blank.

East elevation is symmetrical and contains four small infilled windows at ground level, with single windows above; blank central gable projects slightly, rising above eaves. Walling is of new brick, without basecourse.

South elevation is of brick construction; three openings wide at ground level with segmental-headed doorways, either side of advancing central bay containing window (brick laid to stretcher bond). Double-leaf original timber sheeted and braced doors, that on left is sliding, while the right has a diminutive door to left-leaf. Upper level blank brick in stretcher bond and abutted by canted-bay window, which has a brick base and a timber sheeted upper section with pitched slate roof over (the roof has been added in recent years).

Setting
The boathouse is located in a very prominent location, directly on the east bank of the River Bann, a short distance from The Diamond. Lying to the south of the main thoroughfare and bridge leading to the centre of Coleraine, the
setting is generally urban in nature. Overlooking the river, the building commands unique views across the Bann, towards mature banks of Killowen in the west. A number of historic buildings are visible including St John’s Parish Church (HB03/15/001), St John’s Chapel (HB03/15/002) and the Waterside terrace (HB03/16/001A-T). A concrete balcony supported on cast-iron columns and having modern metal railings, wraps around the west and south upper level and is accessed via steps to the north of the extension. Similar railings line the walkway along the river which breaks open to a timber jetty to the south-west.

Roof: Slate
RWG: Cast-iron/ replacement metal
Walling: Red-brick & timber sheeting
Windows : Segmental-headed timber casements

Historical information

The Bann Rowing Club House was built in 1900 to designs by Coleraine's town surveyor William James Given. The building replaced an earlier structure on the site, and is first shown on the third edition OS map of 1904.

The first regular regatta on the river at Coleraine began in 1863 and this is said to have provided the impetus for the formation of the Bann Rowing Club (although the club’s own history claims that it was founded in 1842) (Belfast Newsletter; www.bannrowingclub.org.uk). In 1864 the club’s first boathouse was erected in Hanover Place adjoining the ferry slipway but the building was unfortunately destroyed by fire about two months after its completion. A new boathouse was built and a second storey added to it in 1881, but the foundations ultimately proved unsatisfactory and when the old building threatened to collapse a new boathouse was built in 1900 at a cost of about £800. The architect was W J Given, town surveyor for Coleraine, and the club house was thought to ‘compare favourably’ with similar buildings in the British Isles and contributed towards making Coleraine a model county town by providing for its young men ‘healthy and manly exercise’(Belfast Newsletter).

A ‘boat house’ is first inserted into valuation records c1870 at a valuation of £4, leased by the Bann Rowing Club from the Irish Society and it appears that this was actually the second boat house on the site, having been constructed as a replacement for the building that was destroyed by fire. The valuation was increased to £8.10s c1880, and in 1901, following the construction of a new building, to £28. Valuer’s notes of the 1930s record the accommodation as a club room, changing rooms, bathroom and lavatory on the first floor over the boat house on the ground floor. In the 1930s the club had approximately 60 members who paid an annual subscription of £1 for the first year and £1.10s thereafter. In 1954 the southern gable of the building, which had been constructed in wood, was rebuilt in brick and during the course of construction a bay window was added at first floor level. The bay accommodated the band at dances, which provided the profits to sustain the club.

The Club enjoyed a ‘golden’ era between 1880 and 1939, with several members becoming Irish Champions. Although success has been intermittent since that time some notable oarsmen have been nurtured at the Club including most recently the three Olympic medal winners, Alan Campbell and brothers Richard and Peter Chambers. At the London 2012 Olympics Alan Campbell won the bronze in the men’s 2000m individual sculls and Richard and Peter Chambers the silver in the lightweight men’s four (www.bannrowingclub.org.uk).

The boat club was listed in 1977 and renovations took place in the 1970s and 80s. A modern block was added to the north of the building in the 1990s (HB file).

References:

Primary Sources

1. PRONI OS/6/5/7/1 First Edition OS Map 1830
2. PRONI OS/6/5/7/2 Second Edition OS map 1849-50
3. PRONI OS/6/5/7/3 Third Edition OS Map 1904
4. PRONI OS/6/5/7/4 Fourth Edition OS Map 1923
5. PRONI OS/6/5/7/5 Fifth Edition OS Map 1949
6. PRONI VAL/12/B/30/9A-N Annual Revisions (1864-1929)
7. PRONI VAL/3/C/6/4 First General Revaluation 1933-57
8. PRONI VAL/3/D/6/2/A/36 First General Revaluation 1933-57
9. HB file – 03/18/017
10. Belfast Newsletter 9th August 1900

Secondary Sources

1. Girvan, W D “Historic Buildings, Groups of Buildings, Areas of Architectural Importance in Coleraine and Portstewart” Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 1971-2
2. www.bannrowingclub.org.uk

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

A. Style
B. Proportion
C. Ornamentation
D. Plan Form
H-. Alterations detracting from building
J. Setting

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance
V. Authorship
X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
Z. Rarity

Evaluation

An unusual half-timber, half-brick example of a late Victorian recreational building, c.1900, which is characterised by the nautical appearance of the gabled upper level. Despite late 20th century alterations and a modern extension to the north, the building has retained its character externally. Coupled with the overall scale, siting and form, the building is reminiscent of an traditional river boat, a theme which suitably reflects the continued function of this boat house and was built to the designs of W J Given, town surveyor for Coleraine. Directly located on the east bank of the River Bann, the structure is the predominant architectural feature, a visual focal point commanding the vista from both the west and south. A representation of the long established history of Bann Rowing Club on this site, the building also constitutes an important social role within the local community.

General comments

Additional listing criteria apply - R - Age, S- Authenticity, T- Historic Importance.