PHILADELPHIA -- Dozens of young rowers were left out in the cold after the surprise closing of a boathouse on the Schuylkill River along Kelly Drive. The rowers now have no place to call home and store their gear, and their future is uncertain.

---

Images | Video

---

Temple University's men and women are already practicing for the upcoming rowing season. But their light and heavy boats, oars and all of the rowing equipment is now fenced in the locked Canoe Club.

The Fairmount Park Commission owns the building that was closed suddenly Friday by the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections because of "severe structural problems." The other boathouses are privately owned and, therefore, not affected.

North Catholic, LaSalle and Father Judge high schools also use the Canoe Club. Their rowing gear is also locked inside.

"We've won the National Championship 21 times in the last 25 years. Then, all of a sudden, you're out. Put out of your boathouse with no notice," Gavin White, Temple men's rowing coach, said.

Temple's varsity women have been rowing for only 20 years, and the Canoe Club has been their only home.

Coach Tim Hagan, Temple women's rowing coach, broke the news to his rowers.

"They were shocked, and you know, some mixed emotions. The facility does need some work done to it. But they were shocked that we have nowhere right now to row out of," Hagan said.

The rowing community is a tight one in Philadelphia, and there are plenty of facilities on Boat House Row, but none has enough room to house Temple's equipment, let alone that of the three high schools.

Local- and national-rowing races are held each spring on the Schuylkill River from March through May.

The more than 80-year-old Canoe Club occupies the premier spot along the racecourse. But, coaches said the structure is in dire need of repairs.

"I've been coaching in there for 31 years so I've seen it gradually deteriorate over the years to the point where it's, it's got some issues for sure," White said.

When asked if he would want to go back in there, White responded, "Oh, absolutely! It's our home."

The rowing clubs will meet with city officials Thursday night to learn their futures. Their hopes are that temporary repairs can be made to the Canoe Club so they can race through May.