A proposal was first put forward in 1993 by the coaches, including legendary Aquinas Coaches Don O’Brien, Bob Brearley and Mike Scott for the replacement of the rowing shed.

A need for a new facility that could accommodate the growing boat fleet, ergometers, weight room, toilets and changerooms was proposed. 27 years later and the new River Centre provides that and more. An amazing facility that provides not just for the students of today, but for future generations of Aquinians to come.

The new facility has four rowing bays, one dinghy bay, and an Outdoor Ed bay housing kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The bays have been named after legends of Aquinas Rowing.

• Brother Norm Wilson - the former Rowing Master of Aquinas whom the previous Boatshed was named after - keeps the ties to our Christian Brothers heritage.
• Brian Tonkin, who has been a part of Aquinas Rowing for over 50 years as a coxswain, coach, rowing master, and mentor for future generations.
• Nick Garratt, a four-time Olympic coach.
• Peter Hutchinson, an old boy whose efforts over such a long period have seen this project finally come to light.
• Stuart Reside, the College’s greatest oarsman and two-time Olympian and Bronze Medallist.

The building itself has been designed to incorporate the past and be adaptable for the future. The red brick façade around the building ties into the Main Building of the College and represents our past when the College first moved to its current location. The grey bricks that line the back of the building are the same type as those that stood strong in the previous Br N.N. Wilson Boatshed. From the water, the red brick and very dark grey steel front sit imposingly over Aquinas Bay as a red and black stripe across the shoreline.

Inside the facility, the boat, oar and Outdoor Ed racks have been designed to be completely reconfigurable as the sport evolves and the requirements of the building change. The weights room is three times the size of the previous school weights room and is set up in a US College style format. New toilet facilities and change room see the facility up to date with modern times. A dynamic learning space is also on the second floor, which provides rowers with the opportunity to do video review sessions, and as a new learning space for the college. The ergo room houses over thirty rowing machines, with a further ten bikes, and provides a spectacular view of Aquinas Bay.

Surrounding the walls of the ergo room, the history of Aquinas rowing is proudly displayed in framed photos and newspaper clippings, with memorabilia and artefacts on show in display cabinets. The rear wall of the boatshed sees a photo of every Aquinas First crew from 1899 to 2020 and awaits the current rowers to have their place on the wall. The River Centre proudly displays the incredibly successful history of Aquinas Rowing whilst providing a building that will adapt to provide success for both the current and future Aquinians.