Rowing bid at crucial stage

by Martin Tiffany on 11 May 2006 A successful Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) bid for the 2010 World Rowing Championships hinges on finance negotiations over the next few days, starting with a crucial meeting in Hamilton this morning.

RNZ chief executive Craig Ross declined to give details today as pressure mounts before he leads a delegation to Munich later this month to present the bid to the Fisa (international rowing federation) council in Munich, Germany.

'We are in discussions at this stage and I can't really give you any details,' Mr Ross said.

This morning RNZ met Hamilton City Council in an extraordinary meeting to discuss what support it would give the bid as the host city.

It is also understood rowing is waiting on a key Government decision on whether it will underwrite the event.

Both the city council and the Waipa District Council are supporting RNZ as they go head-to-head with Amsterdam to secure the champs. Waipa has already confirmed a $10 million upgrade of infrastructure and facilities around Lake Karapiro.

A high-powered Fisa delegation visiting Lake Karapiro in March told RNZ to bring – facilities up to the high standard required.

They specifically said on-lake facilities – especially at the starting area – needed upgrading to international standards and the 2000 lane buoys replaced and new pontoons added. – On-shore facilities needed to be insulated so athletes and spectators were kept warm.

All this would come on top of the proposed $6 million upgrade of RNZ buildings on the edge of the lake while another $5 million will be needed to set up the lake and provide the necessary temporary facilities for the champs.

Mr Ross leaves for Munich on May 23 to officially present the bid and the final decision will be made in England on August 28.


Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz