Upgrade of park tower completed Morerowingeventsindiary
Strathclyde Park will be able to host more world-class rowing events following £680,000 improvement work to the finishing tower.
North Lanarkshire Council has completed upgrading work at the tower, to comply with the International Rowing Federation (FISA) guidelines.
The work has been funded by the council and sportscotland and has been carried out ahead of the European Championships Glasgow 2018 rowing events which are to be held at the park.
Upgrades include extending the floor in the upper levels to allow for new judging requirements set by FISA, refurbishing the air conditioning, heating and interior space and reglazing the building to provide unrestricted sight lines for judges, commentators and broadcasters.
External improvement work has also been carried out to the roof and parapet.
Completion of the improvements was officially marked with a ceremony on Saturday, July 22, ahead of the 2017 Home International Regatta, held at the park. Councillor Michael Mcpake, convener of the infrastructure committee, was joined by Mike Morrice, president of Scottish Rowing, and Annamarie Phelps CBE, the chair of British Rowing.
Councillor Mcpake said: “Strathclyde Country Park is a first-class venue for rowing and we were very pleased to welcome athletes from across the UK for the Home International Regatta.
“The work carried out to the finishing tower maintains the standard of facility we can provide here, helping to bring world-class competitions to the park.
“Next year we will host 17 rowing events over four days, as part of the European Championship, showcasing the park as a venue to a world-wide TV audience.”
Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, added: “We recognise this facility is vital in continuing the success of rowing at entry level as well as the need to ensure it remains fit for purpose for international competition, training and development.
“We’re delighted to invest in this project, which we believe will help provide more and better sporting opportunities, as well as maintaining the loch’s status as a topclass watersport venue.”