Boathouse torn down for tunnel project

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Heartfelt goodbyes and messages were written on the walls of the Austin Rowing Club boathouse just moments before heavy machinery tore them down on Tuesday morning.

One such message said “Thanks for the memories” while another eulogized the building with “1987-2011 RIP.”

“It is a little sad to see the old boathouse go, but I’m happy to see a new chapter in ARC’s life,” said varsity rower Allie Martinez.

The boathouse was demolished to make way for the Waller Creek tunnel project.

“It is necessary that these buildings be brought down,” said city spokesperson Carolyn Perez. “But once the area is cleared, we will break ground on the new structure.”

A new boathouse is expected to be built in the first quarter of 2012, but the old boathouse sat on the land which will be part of the new tunnel.

The ARC said all summer programs will continue as planned and boats will be stored outside near the area where the boathouse used to sit.

Still, watching the backhoes go to work on Tuesday tugged at the heartstrings of ARC members.

“I remember whenever I fist started rowing being able to take out that first boat with the team,” said Martinez.

The demolition is one of many sub-projects that will take place until the tunnel is complete.

“From today through the end of 2014 there will be activities taking place around downtown related to the tunnel project,” said Perez.

Even though ARC will not be significantly inconvenienced and a new boathouse is on the way, Martinez hopes the tunnel designers know what they are doing.

“I think it is important for Austin to turn over a new leaf. I’m not really sure if this is the right one, but we will see how it works," he said.