PLANS have been lodged to carry out improvements to a clubhouse in Barrow.

Roa Island Boating Club (RIBC) has submitted plans to Westmorland and Furness Council to extend and re-roof the clubhouse on Piel Street to ensure its ‘long-term functionality as an accessible club’.

According to planning documents the building is in a ‘state of poor repair’ and requires ‘significant structural refurbishment’.

The proposed works will involve:

  • Removal and replacement of the west facing wall
  • Removal of the north wall and replacing it with an extension to increase the capacity of the club room
  • Improving and increasing the size of the changing facilities, particularly with regards to female, family and accessible facilities.
  • Improving the entrance porch
  • Making the existing internal doors wheelchair accessible.
  • Creating a plant room.
  • Re roofing and increasing the insulation to the flat roof.

Roa Island Boating Club is described in plans as a family orientated club which was established in 1957.

Now the club has around 290 members and encompasses a variety of water sports such as boat fishing, dinghy and cruiser sailing/racing, windsurfing and kayaking.

The design and access statement says: “Given the increasing diversity of members and other users of the building RIBC have previously investigated the idea of simply replacing the building. However, the replacement option was deemed to be not practical on economic grounds.”

This planning application is undergoing public consultation.