TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– The Wabash Valley Crew took several steps closer to their goal of bringing a community boathouse to the Wabash River on Saturday during the 2nd annual corporate rowing challenge.
The fundraiser, which was hosted by the Vigo County YMCA, included a celebrity and a corporate race, with money going towards bringing a boathouse to the area, according to Wabash Valley Crew President Jim Owen.
“This is a community boathouse, it’s not just for the Wabash Valley Crew. We’re working with the YMCA, we want to have kayaking involved, we want to have adults learning how to row in the Wabash River,” he said. “It’s one of the greatest assets we have in the community.”
The celebrity race, won by newly-elected RiverSCAPE President Bryan Horsman, also included WTWO news anchor Mike Tank. He said he thought the event was a great way to stay active.
“It’s important to give back to the community if you can,” Tank said. “This is a great organization, and Terre Haute is always looking for recreational opportunities and sporting events, and rowing is a great one.”
Owen said he enjoyed watching more people become aware of the sport through the event.
“We’re so happy to have participation. We want to keep this going every year, we think it’s good for the community, it’s good to come out and support the YMCA and everything they’re trying to do here,” he said. “People are beginning to understand what it is, and more people are participating, so I think that’s a good thing.”
The Wabash Valley Community Foundation has given the Wabash Valley Crew a grant this year– matching every dollar they raise for the boathouse, up to $150,000.
