SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – About 100 guests gathered to celebrate the opening of Skidmore's newest building, the Valentine Boathouse on Fish Creek on Friday, Oct. 19. Skidmore's men's and women's crews will benefit from the boathouse, which is named for Trustee Peg Valentine and Mike Valentine, parents of Martha, a 2009 Skidmore graduate and former rower.
The three-building complex, located at 89 Stafford Bridge Road, includes a completely renovated main building (previously the only building) that houses eights, fours, and quads. The new center building, known as the "Team Building," has a team meeting and workout space with ergometers, a locker room and office space for coaches. The second new building is a sculling pavilion that houses singles and doubles.
"Completing and now dedicating the Valentine Boathouse will allow our teams to take a big step forward," said Gail Cummings-Danson, Director of Athletics at Skidmore. "With pride, our rowers and coaches will train in a facility that enhances their opportunity for success and speaks to the growing tradition of support."
"Without the Valentine family gift and the support of others, our three-building complex would not have been possible," Cummings-Danson said.
Skidmore Crew Head Coach Jim Tucci said the interior of the new Team Building is reminiscent of a boathouse one might find on the historic Boathouse Row in Philadelphia. "It has a wonderful sophistication, as well as the functional aspects that will allow us the potential for optimal performance," Tucci said.
"The new boathouse will be an inspiring venue to row from, and will increase pride in the program from rowers and supporters," Tucci said, adding that the project would help in the recruitment of scholar-athletes in the years ahead.
Olivia Del Brocco '19, Skidmore women's crew captain, was excited about the new digs. "We are so fortunate to be here celebrating a project that has been rumored about since our freshman year. I cannot express my excitement that, as seniors, we will get a full season's use out of this new boathouse."
"Our team now has a space where, not only will we show up to practice and work out, but where we can also spend time together and bond as a team unit," Del Brocco added. "This opportunity will only help us grow as a team, both in the spring season and in years to come."
Ross Powell '19, captain of the men's crew team, agrees. "These buildings next to us foreshadow the bright future that Skidmore Rowing has," Powell said. "Some teams don't have boathouses, and we have three…what more could we possibly need! I want to thank all of the donors here today for providing us this great opportunity, and really, for spoiling all of us."
The Thoroughbreds end the fall portion of the schedule hosting the Head of the Fish regatta, held at the Fish Creek Course on Saturday.
The Valentine Boathouse is part of Creating Our Future: The Campaign for Skidmore, an effort to raise $200 million by 2020 for Skidmore's future. Creating Our Future also will increase funding for scholarships and financial aid, the Skidmore Fund, the Tang Teaching Museum, Athletics/Health & Wellness, the Center for Integrated Sciences and career development and transformative experiences for Skidmore students.