Eastern Michigan to Debut National Caliber Eight-Lane Racecourse on Ford Lake

Eastern Michigan University will next week debut their new, permanent, submergible eight-lane racecourse on Ford Lake in Ypsilanti. EMU has high hopes that the Rowing Course at Ford Lake will one day soon host championship regattas such as NCAAs, as well as collegiate conference championships and USRowing championships. Scott Wetherbee, EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics, told emueagles.com, “We’re not merely dipping our oars in the water; we’re charting a course for excellence.”

As head coach Kemp Savage detailed to Rowing News, “Our goals are to make Ford Lake a prime national venue. We have already been in contact with USRowing about hosting future events. We have made bids and been in communication with the NCAA and some conferences to bring conference championships to Ypsilanti.” With the ability to add a starting bow lock system, finish line tower, and expand to 12 racing lanes, the course could also be developed for the international stage. This summer, World University Championships teams will train on Ford Lake before racing in Rotterdam. 

Installed by Tim Royalty, responsible for top tier courses around the country including those for the 1984 and 1996 Olympics, the Rowing Course at Ford Lake has a $487,000 price tag and is being funded in full by EMU, Destination Ann Arbor, and the Marriott Eagle Crest, MLive.com is reporting. National events could generate anywhere from $1.5-$3 million in revenue for the region. 

Most importantly, Savage looks forward to the positive impact this race course will have directly on the Eagles. “For training it is always great to have buoy lines to practice with as well as starting docks.” He continued, “Obviously having a fully buoyed, eight-lane course is a real draw for teams to get more quality racing opportunities and for us to reduce our travel dates.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, April 26, followed by the first regatta on the new course as EMU takes on Dayton on Sunday.

The post Eastern Michigan to Debut National Caliber Eight-Lane Racecourse on Ford Lake appeared first on Rowing News.