Rowing News round-upThe National Rowing Centre in Cork fell short of expectations for last year's National Championships, but hopes that it would be radically revamped for this year's event have evaporated.
While a photo-finish camera is emerging as a possibility, there will be no finish tower, and catering will again be from caravans.
Work on the new phase of the boathouse will start, at the earliest, in the autumn, says Mick O'Callaghan, who oversees the development of the NRC.
"I'm fairly confident that, all things going well, we should be in a position to start work by the end of September. The plan is to have the building done by the end of May next year. I want it to be usable next summer."
The new phase, which has been changed from the original plan and will yield a building of two storeys rather than three, will be funded to the tune of €2.5 million by the Department of Tourism and Sport. It will feature a restaurant, more boat bays, a gym and weights room and the first tranche of accommodation at the venue.
One more phase will then finish the work, leaving a course which will be "a good training centre and a top-class international course", according to O'Callaghan. "We might be able to apply for World Cups, but that's a long way down the line," he added.
The provision of a photo-finish camera for this year's National Championships in mid-July is an aim of Kieran Kerr, the championship secretary. However, this equipment must fit into the eventual timing system, which is one of the most expensive single items to be purchased.
The executive of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union will consider the matter this weekend.
O'Callaghan, who stepped out of the international limelight after heavy criticism by athletes, has returned to the centre this year and will manage the international teams for the World Cup and World Championship regattas.
With resources devoted to a full-time head coach and assistant coach, the manager's job is a voluntary one, and the Corkman says he was probably the most experienced person available.
The team for the World Cup regatta at Eton in two weeks' time should be finalised over the weekend. Niamh Ni Cheilleachair has been passed fit and will partner Heather Boyle in the lightweight double.
Portora's regatta at Killyhevlin near Enniskillen tomorrow will be the second leg of the new Waterways Ireland Row-for-It junior league.
Seven clubs are taking part in the competition, which began at Limerick regatta last weekend. Carlow regatta on June 5th and Carrick-on-Shannon on July 31st are the other events taking part.
