Inaugural regatta this Saturday
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
HAMILTON — The Great Miami Rowing Center, which began operations in late 2007, will host its first home regatta this weekend.
The Blue and Burgundy Regatta, named for the center's uniform colors, begins 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, just north of the High-Main Bridge.
Extras
The regatta will actually complete the center's first spring season. Nineteen of the center's students from various area high schools competed last week at the Midwest Junior Rowing Championships in Clermont County on May 17.
"That was the very first time they competed," said center Executive Director Frances Mennone.
One of the teams placed fourth.
The inaugural regatta Saturday will feature only members of the Great Miami Rowing Center. Mennone anticipates future regattas will invite other rowing organizations to compete as well.
Mennone expects all 59 students involved in the center to compete at the regatta and each is likely to bring a few family members to watch.
This influx of people into downtown Hamilton was the idea behind the establishment of the center, said Vision 2020 Commission Chairwoman Nancy Wiley. The center was a goal of the commission, which saw potential in the recreational aspects of the Great Miami River.
"Hopefully, (the regatta) will be the first of many," Wiley said.
The center was established in the fall, which means none of its rowers have competed for more than a year; team members will continue to compete in the upcoming summer and fall seasons.
Next year, the center will also have members competing at the varsity level.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2190 or jrinaldi@coxohio.com.
