MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — Flooding on Creve Coeur Lake is keeping a group of athletes out of the water.
The St. Louis Rowing Club boathouse is flooded, and its rowers haven’t been able to get in the water in weeks.
"We know that people have lost their homes and things, but for us, this is our home away from home and it's definitely been a challenge,” spokeswoman Kristy Heffernan said.
One of the recreational rowing teams still worked out together at Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park Wednesday night, running stairs on land. They said it doesn’t compare.
"Your body goes through a withdrawal,” Steve Turner said.
Once water surrounded the boathouse, the club had to suspend operations. The start of the summer season for kids is postponed and will hopefully begin next month. But there are concerns the flooding could cost the club memberships.
"If people pay to come and row with us, and they can't get out on the water in over a month, you know, are they going to renew?" Heffernan said.
They’re hoping to be able to get back on the water in a limited capacity this weekend and resume operations in July, once the floodwater recedes and the boathouse can be cleaned.