argonauts rowing club toronto

Toronto rowing club tries to rebuild after devastating flood

Toronto's historic rowing club is raising money to renovate their headquarters after intense flooding completely destroyed the lower level of their facility. 

Sitting on the Western Beaches by Lake Shore Blvd. West and Jameson Ave., the Argonaut Rowing Club has been fundraising for nearly two years since incurring significant damage from the flooding that wrecked the city in 2017

rowing club toronto

The first floor of the Argonauts Rowing Club was completely flooded, causing black mould to spread on the walls. Photo courtesy of the Argonauts Rowing Club.

Devastated by rising water levels that surpassed break walls and sand bags, the first floor bathroom facilities of the old 1960s-era building were ruined, as were the walls, where black mould ensued. 

"We are expecting flooding to happen again, because the water levels have been pretty high the past decade," says Brianne Misner-Bartolini, the club's communications director. 

Now the club—which was founded in 1872 and has been home to multiple Olympian rowing teams—is trying to raise $1.2 million to future-proof its facility. 

To move its change rooms to the second floor and convert its first floor into boat storage, the club hopes to equip its aging three-storey building with an elevator system in order to accommodate its significant para-rowing membership. 

So far, Misner-Bartolini says the club has raised a few hundred thousand dollars over the past year and some. 

To try and reach its goal, club members will be hosting an intense 24-hour ergathon this Saturday. (For non-rowers: that's a 24-hour non-stop session on an indoor rowing machine, also known as an erg, to raise sponsorship money). 

One of the two rowers will be trying to break the record for longest ergometer session, rowing from Saturday at 9 a.m. until Sunday at 9 a.m.

While my legs and arms hurt just thinking about it, don't worry: ten minute breaks for water and trips to the washroom are allowed every hour to qualify.

Lead photo by

Argonauts Rowing Club


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

25 weird and quirky Ontario attractions for your summer bucket list

Kyle Dubas offers subtle social media shot at Leafs in wake of Keefe firing

There's a secret forest boardwalk in Ontario

This small town in Ontario will transport you to Europe

Two new pickleball clubs opening in and around Toronto

This is what Canada's Wonderland looked like in the 1980s

Details emerge about Matthews' injury that kept Leafs star out of playoffs

Toronto will get a WNBA team for the 2026 season