Senglea Regatta Club is synonymous with the sport of rowing in Malta, which, within the Grand Harbour area, dates back to the time of the Knights of St John.

The Senglea boat house, where the racing vessels were stored over the years, fell into disrepair and was literally collapsing until an initiative coordinated by the president, Charmaine Gerada, and fully supported by all the rowers and members of the club saw an amazing transformation.

The government, which had already improved the area with the refurbishment of the new cruise liner terminal at Boiler Wharf fully supported this initiative with great results. The Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation deserves acknowledgement for identifying the vast potential our wonderful city holds.

March 3 was certainly a red and yellow letter day for the Regatta Club with the official opening of the fully refurbished boat house. The event was attended by numerous dignitaries including Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi while the Armed Forces of Malta Band livened up the event.

The setting was perfect and the Sengleani who accepted the open invitation felt very proud of this momentous occasion. I for one, through my constant letters to The Times, have badgered the government to undertake projects in my beloved, at times maligned, adopted city. Now I can see that things are happening to the benefit not just of us people who live in Senglea but for the whole of Malta.

Whenever Malta is depicted anywhere around the world, the gardjola (watch tower) situated at the end of the peninsula guarding the Grand Harbour, features regularly. One could say the city of Senglea holds the trademark of the Maltese islands. I must conclude with an extremely nice touch that concluded the official opening: two young members of the club presented Dr Gonzi with a red and yellow top that the rowers wear. This was held up high by him and certainly provided amusement when he turned it round as the name “Gonzi” was printed on the back.