With the most recent wave of mild winters culminating in this past year's sorry excuse for hibernation and winter training, officials in Orono, Maine have announced that the town and surrounding areas are in early discussions about building a FISA Class-A rowing venue in Maine, and are aiming to have the facility ready for a major championship and/or an international regatta by 2017.
"We focused on the land in nearby Menderson Park because of it's pristine Maine beauty, convenient location to major cities (in Maine), and the bounty of local and federal funding available," said Franklin Pierce, chairman of the Menderson Development Commission. "Steve Gladstone (Head Coach of Yale Men's crew, eds) looked at a few sketches we emailed him, and told us the course could be "'the best rowing facility in North America.'"
In future mild winters and springs, Menderson is slated to become a magnet for Southern crews looking for a cooler place to train early in their seasons, as well as the National teams from Iceland and Greenland. As far as the bold, international vision of the Menderson organizers goes, the site is said to figure in a potential Bangor/Old Town Olympic bid said to be percolating.
"Damn," said the organizers of the 2024 Phoenix, Ariz. Olympic bid, and the associated Jenderson Park Rowing Course Development group.
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12/16/2013 12:55:22 AM