As the Albany Rowing Center celebrates its 30^th anniversary on Saturday, it will name a boat for Lewis A. Swyer who recognized the economic impact of a revitalized waterfront and helped with the center’s first regatta.

The owner of a construction company that built local landmarks, Swyer died in 1988 at the age of 70.

The ARC, established in the mid-1980s, provides recreational and competitive opportunities to both youth and adults.  Peter Kiernan, as president of North Star Bank and an avid recreational rower, envisioned a way to attract people to the sport he loved, said Cheryl Stock, an event organizer. With assistance from Thomas Whalen, then Albany’s mayor, and Swyer, the first Empire State Regatta was run in Albany’s Corning Preserve in June 1985.

The regatta drew an estimated 15,000 people, Stock said, and was renamed Head of the Hudson, where it has been a cultural staple for the last 30 years.

Saturday’s event will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre with the boat-naming ceremony at 4:15 p.m. The boys’ varsity 8 boat will bear Swyer’s name.

Following the naming ceremony, food and refreshments will be provided by Albany Pump Station. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and University of Massachusetts rowing Coach Jim Dietz will speak, and John McEneny will present a history of rowing on the Hudson River in Albany.

The event will conclude with a silent auction where participants can win memorabilia and a sculling lesson from Dietz. Money raised during the celebration will benefit ARC’s equipment fund. Money raised by the sculling clinic lottery will benefit the ARC Scholarship fund.

****

The Palace Theatre is located at the corner of Clinton Avenue and North Pearl Street in Albany. Admission to the celebration is $35 for adults, 25 and older; $20 for those ages 13 to 24; and no charge for children 12 and under. For further information, visit albanyrowingcenter.org.

— Zach Appio

Corrected on Sept. 11, 2015: We initially wrote that the 1985 regatta was held in New York City; actually,, it has always been held in Albany.