State and county officials joined the Steel City Rowing Club today to break ground on a boathouse near the Allegheny River in Verona.

The 2 1/2-story, $2.2 million environmentally modern facility will be built on the site of a former lumber warehouse. The location is next to Verona's public docks and at the end of a walking trail that will eventually extend to the Highland Park Bridge.

"The Steel City Rowing Club has a wonderful vision for this site along the Allegheny River in Verona," said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. "Its members have worked diligently to secure the necessary funding for what will be a true community attraction. As Allegheny County continues to work to build trails and connect communities to the riverfront, this complex will complement our efforts and open access to the river and the recreational opportunities it offers."

The boathouse will include a community room, public restrooms, indoor rowing and exercise facilities, storage space for boats and kayaks, and parking. The facility is expected to be used by 1,000 children and adults from across the region and will include docks for kayaks, rowing shells and canoes, as well as racks for kayaks.

The project is funded through grants from the state, county, Colcom Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Eden Hall Foundation, Laurel Foundation, Howard & Nell E. Miller Foundation, Friends of the Riverfront and Steel City Rowing Club.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2009.

Steel City is home to rowing teams from area high schools and also has a program for adults.