It’s one of Nowra’s most creative structures and the Shoalhaven Historical Society has shared the history of the boat pavilion.
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The structure will be seen by many this weekend as the Shoalhaven River Festival kicks off but not many may know the story behind the pavilion.
The design for the pavilion first came in 1970 when the Shire Council announced a design had been accepted from Michael Tomaszewski, a Sydney architect.
The design of the pavilion was said to be based on one Michael had seen in a Scandinavian boat museum which had a similar style pavilion housing a Viking boat.
The Sholhaven ‘flood boat’ was the chosen vessel to be housed in Nowra’s structure.
The arches were originally going to be fully enclosed with plate glass to allow various historical items to be viewed, as well as the flood boat. However, the glass proved too expensive and the pavilion remained open to the threat of vandals.
The site chosen was Moorhouse Park and the site would be maintained by the Shire Council and the Shoalhaven Historical Society.
Work began on the boat pavilion about 100 metres from the Shoalhaven River, in the late 1970s. The pavilion was designed to ultimately be a connection to a historical museum that was planned for that location.
The Rotary Club of Nowra included in its projects for the 1969-1970 the provision of a coin-operated tape recorder for installation within the new pavilion.
For five cents, the recorder would provide a brief history of the boat it would house, a narrative of the history of the pioneers and the reason why Moorhouse Park was chosen to place the pioneer memorial.
One June 12, 1970, the Rotary Club forwarded a cheque to the Shire clerk for for $200 as payment for the recorder and its installation.
During 1970 the concrete floor was put down and work on the plywood framework had begun.
In mid-December the Shire Engineer advised council that an over expenditure of $2150 had been spent on the project over and above the allocation from the Grants Commission and the revised estimate for the cost of the building was $5630. However, the sum of $2150 was authorised and voted from the General Fund Revenue for the completion the pavilion.
The boat pavilion was officially opened on September 11, 1971.
The Shire president D.W.P (Bill) Ryan officially opened and dedicated the new pavilion.
Dr Ryan welcomed guests, Michael Tomaszewski, the Rotary Club of Nowra and other significant Rotarians to the official opening.
