First-Rate Michigan Boathouse Nearing Completion
5/20/2000 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Nationally Competitive Wolverines Will Get First-Class Facility
In the summer of 1999, the University of Michigan began the construction of a new 6,000-square-foot boathouse on the shores of Belleville Lake. The facility has taken shape in the past several months and is nearing completion. When finished, it will provide a number of amenities for the U-M women's rowing team, one of which is simply the proximity to the water.
"Having the boathouse is going to cut down on the time needed to go out on the water," said sophomore Angela Bierhuizen. "We don't have to walk [the boats and equipment] down the hill; we can just go right out the door onto the dock and get in the boat."
Also making training easier for the Wolverines will be a full classroom with a large-screen video system. This will assist the rowers in reviewing tape of practice and competitions. There will also be a training room, locker room with showers and a general meeting room.
"The locker facilities will help a lot. It gets really muddy down there, and we need a place to put our shoes and dry clothes. We can keep things in our lockers to help us be better prepared for varying conditions. We can't do that in the facilities we have now."
Another major benefit of the new facility is that it will allow the existing boathouse to be used as a workshop for Michigan's boatman, Matt LeBlanc. Spending countless hours in the current boathouse preparing and repairing Michigan's fleet, LeBlanc is looking forward to the additional space and improved working conditions.
"The fact that the rowing shells will be stored in a different place than the repair facility makes things so much easier," said LeBlanc. "The additional rack space will allow us to expand our fleet, provide better training equipment and, hopefully, better results."
The $1.2 million project will also include offices for the coaching staff, two large bays and a wet well for the coaches' boats, making it one of the finest facilities in the nation for collegiate rowing.
"It's a step in the right direction," said LeBlanc. "A top-rate team deserves a top-rate facility. We have one of the top teams in the nation, placing fifth in the nation for two consecutive seasons. Now, we'll now have one of the top facilities in the nation as well."
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423)
Players Mentioned
