DETROIT – The historic Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle is getting new life thanks to the nonprofit Friends of Detroit Rowing.
"It's always been our home," said Rowing President Julie Dinan. "But our purpose for this building is to open it up to the public to have weddings and events here."
The group signed a 30-year lease to the 113-year old-club when the state took over the island, putting the aging structure, peeling paint and crumbling walls on a path to revival. But they could use some help.
"Everything we've done on this building, the rowers have put all their efforts in volunteer wise, it's our responsibility," said Dinan. "We need donations!"
Friends of Detroit Rowing has invested over $350,000 worth of repairs into the boathouse since 1996.
"What we see in some of the rooms is the finished result of a lot of hard work and it gives everyone volunteering the feeling that anything that needs to be done in here can be done with a little bit of effort and time," said Nick Serafin of Friends of Detroit Rowing.
But the group needs all the help it can get. If you want to donate, check out their website.
Friends of Detroit Rowing hopes to have the majority of the rooms renovated and ready to rent by 2016.