SPRINGFIELD – The Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) was forced to close back in March due to COVID-19 and, even upon reopening, was unable to operate many of their seasonal activities over the summer. PVRC has seen a loss of $120,000 in revenue this year due to the virus, according to a press release. To help with lost profit, PVRC has started a fund drive intended to pay for the resources needed to reopen once COVID-19 subsides.

The PVRC is a river-based nonprofit that hosts rowing programs, kayaking, dragon boating and more for youth and adults in the Springfield area.

According to PVRC’s website, “PVRC was established as a 501c3 in 2009 with the mission to promote river-based sporting activities, to develop river access, and encourage recreation in the Greater Springfield metropolitan area.” They offer many programs aimed at bringing healthy activities to the community and promoting life improvement skills, communication and team-building.

Team rowing, in boats of up to nine rowers and dragon boats holding up to 22 people, are PVRC’s main source of income. Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, these activities weren’t allowed over the summer. Organization fundraisers, rowing competitions, and summer youth groups were also canceled. Given that these events are vital in supporting the nonprofit organization financially, PVRC has faced immense struggles without them.

“We are innovators, problem solvers, hard workers and collaborators. We are trying to make it through this storm. With some outside help, the forecast could be better,” said PVRC Executive Director Ben Quick in a press release. “At the current rate, we will run out of resources before a vaccine becomes widely available. And that would mean an end to so many positive outcomes, from youth rowing college scholarships, to breast cancer survivor dragon boating, to middle school free exercise programs, to kayak rentals and so much more for Springfield. It could be a terrible loss.”

To try and overcome this year’s financial loss, PVRC has cut every extra expense that they could, and even applied for public and private funding.

“Although public health experts tout the benefits of outdoor exercise for kids and adults to address the harmful effects of inactivity and isolation during the pandemic, we have not found many COVID-19 relief-related resources to help sustain our programming,” said Quick in a press release.

PVRC is now looking to the local community for support. The fund drive will directly help PVRC and allow them to support residents through their activities and programs by staying open for seasons to come. With area support, PVRC can recover despite the losses they’ve felt from COVID-19.

Those interested in learning more about PVRC or donating are encouraged to visit www.pvriverfront.org. All donations are tax deductible and secure.