Bradford on Avon Rowing Club has seen such a huge rise in interest since Ed McKeever’s gold medal success at the Olympics that they plan to expand their facilities.

The club, formed in 1873, hopes to create a traditional, multipurpose boathouse for use by other sports groups training in Barton Farm Country Park, as well as providing a centre for those holding sports events in that area.

Rodney Beer, the club’s chairman, said: “We are oversubscribed, particularly on the Rowing Club Juniors side, and we are looking to build on this for the long-term future of the club.”

The club plans to use low-maintenance, environmentally friendly materials, and the proposed building will be designed to have a grass roof and untreated timber cladding.

The grass area at the front of the boathouse will remain but the launch jetty will be moved back, further away from its current position by the bridge.

Olympic gold medallist, Ed McKeever, is a life member of the club who learnt to canoe on the club’s starter course.

Last month 23-year-old Hannah Brown won the World Sprint Kayak Championships and junior member James Missen has been selected to race for the GB marathon kayaking team racing in Spain this month.

The club has been in touch with Bradford on Avon Town Council and the Preservation Trust and wants to bid for funds from the Kingston Farm development, if and when the plans are accepted.