Ronnie and Cory Evans are seeking a zoning change to reopen Evans Rowing Club, this time at Julington Creek along Florida 13 in St. Johns County.
The club site is on 1.62 acres at 12 Florida 13 N. at the southwest corner of the Julington Creek Bridge.
The club would serve people of all ages and experience levels. Ronnie Evans has trained middle school and high school athletes, helping some garner college scholarships.
The couple is seeking the zoning change to specifically allow for use as a rowing facility. A house on the property would remain a residence.
Rowing is a low-impact, high cardio workout, Ronnie Evans, vice president and head coach, said in a release.
“Julington Creek is the only location in St. Johns County perfect for rowing – it is a protected body of water yet large enough for eight-man shells,” he said.
Ronnie Evans was captain of the Florida State University Lightweight rowing team. He was the director of rowing and head women’s coach at FSU from 2008-10.
He also was the head coach of the rowing team at Maclay School in Tallahassee from 2002-05.
The new location replaces one that was closed.
Despite having approval from Duval County to open the original club on Hillwood Road along Julington Creek on the Jacksonville side, courts ordered the club closed in April 2019, according to reports from News4Jax.com.
The owners were denied an appeal to stay open.
Area residents at that time complained of increased traffic.
