Our plans for development of the club have recently taken a significant a step forward. CEMEX, who operate the quarry and concrete plant at Ryall House Farm Quarry, have secured planning approvals extend Ryall North Quarry to the south to allow further gravel extraction and to restore the excavated site to form a large lake. The lake has been designed to be of the right proportions to allow a multi-lane 1000m water-sports facility to be established. The resulting lake would occupy a small part of Fish Meadow and combine ecological wetland benefits alongside a large area for watersports.
The aim is for the lake to be imaginatively and sensitively managed to enhance the site for the benefit of the whole local area and provide a safe place for watersports to train and perform alongside the river. Upton Rowing Club is currently taking the lead in relation to these proposals and is in consultation with other sports and stakeholders representing the community.
We have been in contact with a number of national governing bodies representing canoeing, triathlon, paddle boarding, open-water swimming, bell boating and dinghy sailing all of whom have expressed real interest in being involved with the project. With the extension of the gravel works to the south, a multi-lane 1000m competition course can be established for multiple watersports including canoeing as well as rowing.
British Rowing, the West Midland Regional Rowing Council and local clubs are kept informed of developments all of whom support the project. We should emphasise that this opportunity depends on many things; most importantly planning application. However, the landowners support this plan and we have been in continuous close contact with them regarding the proposal. We will share any further update as soon as information is available.
Maurice Stanley Chairman Upton RC
