PAST and present pupils at the King’s School in Worcester turned out in force to see the opening of the new £2.5 million boathouse on Saturday.

The new boathouse, which looks like a boat from above with a glazed ‘prow’ that projects over the riverside walkway, will provide a focal point along the regenerated riverside.

Cutting the ribbon at the official opening ceremony was Pam Baker, wife of former King’s pupil Michael, who donated the money to the project along with £1 million to the school’s bursary scheme.

Mr Baker, who was unable to be at the ceremony due to ill health, had been a pupil at the school in the 1950s and was a keen rower.

Headteacher Tim Keyes said the school was “deeply grateful” to the Baker family for their gift.

“The family has given us an astonishing gift. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to do it. It will be here for decades to come.

“What it offers to the school is the chance to take rowing to a new level. The upstairs space is going to offer a multitude of facilities.

“It’s much more than a boathouse – we see it as a building for Worcester as well as for the school.”

The building, designed by architect John Christophers, has secure accommodation for all of the school’s 46 boats, as well as a fitness room, changing rooms, a kitchen, an office/workshop, storage and 12 parking spaces. It also features solar panels, rainwater harvesting and a wood pellet boiler.