GAINESVILLE - Gainesville-Hall ‘96 the governing body of the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue will host a ground breaking ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the launch of a major revitalization project at the lakeside park.
Congressman Doug Collins will officiate the ceremony which kicks off a $10 million campaign to renovate the venue where the canoe/kayak/rowing events were held during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
With the 20th anniversary of the Olympics coming up next summer, the stewards of the venue agreed the time has come to invest in the area’s sports heritage.
The venue has continually served as a training and competition center for flatwater sports ever since hosting the Olympics. Recently, the American Collegiate Rowing Association held its national championships on Lanier. In May of 2016, the Pan American Championships for sprint kayak will take place at the venue. This world class sporting event is the last continental qualifier before the Rio Olympics. Athletes from North, South and Central America will converge on Lanier to compete for placement in the upcoming Olympic Games. The Dragon Boat World Championships are slated to be held here in 2018.
Phase one of thes renovation focuses on ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) improvements and other enhancements.
With the growing popularity of flatwater sports with para-athletes the venue has been emerging as a training destination for youth and adults who aspire to compete in the Paralympic Games. Recently, it hosted a U S Paralympic Team Gateway to Gold event for para-athletes in other disciplines to introduce them to flatwater sports such as sprint kayak.
The $1.7 million renovation includes new accessible ramps from the Olympic plaza to the finish tower, new accessible restroom facilities and other enhancements to make the venue more accessible to everyone. Funds to support this phase of renovation have been contributed by local government, private corporations and a grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission.
Thursday's groundbreaking is scheduled for 4:00.
Scoring tower at Lake Lanier Olympic Venue
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/11/348970/groundbreaking-thurs-for-17m-renovation-of-lanier-olympic-venue