Canoe club signs new two-year lease with Liverpool Waters for continued use of dock close to Everton FC’s new £750m stadium. Tony McDonough reports
Members of Friends of Allonby Canoe Club will continue to pursue their favourite pastime in Liverpool’s northern docklands after signing a new two-years lease.
Liverpool Waters has announced the new deal with the club for the use of Collingwood Dock which it has been using since 2012. The dock is close to Everton FC’s new home, the £750m Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the Titanic Hotel.
Liverpool Waters has supported the volunteer-led amateur club, which has recently been crowned both National and European Canoe Polo Champions, for more than 11 years. The lease includes the use of Collingwood Dock itself, and a section of adjoining land.
Friends of Allonby Canoe Club has been running since 1981. The not-for-profit club serves the local community as well as holding national events within the Liverpool Waters dock system.
It is the leading club in the UK and Europe for canoe polo, a five a side team game played in kayaks, and has members competing in the national squad and worldwide. The club also has a core group of recreational paddlers and offers coaching for newcomers.
Keith Meadows, chairman of Friends of Allonby Canoe Club, said: “Since being established at Collingwood Dock, the club has grown from strength to strength.
“We are very grateful to Peel Waters for supporting us and renewing our lease for another two years, as we hope to be here for many years to come.
“We love it at Liverpool Waters and it’s fantastic to be part of an area which has some really exciting plans for the future regeneration of the docks.”
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The club runs sessions at Collingwood Dock every Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday morning. For more information visit www.friendsofallonby.org.uk or see @foaliverpool on Instagram.
Liza Marco, senior asset manager at Liverpool Waters, added: “It has been wonderful to see their growth over the years, and we would love to expand this facility to create a more permanent base for the club in the future.”