Construction work is underway to deliver enhanced Rowing and Canoe Sprint facilities for the London 2012 Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced.

The Rowing and Canoe Sprint events during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place at the Eton College Rowing Centre at Dorney Lake near Windsor. Set in a 450-acre parkland, the venue currently consists of a 2,000-metre, 8-lane rowing lake, return lane and associated competition facilities.

The venue's existing facilities will be enhanced to provide improved facilities for athlete warm-up and Canoe Sprint events during the London 2012 Games. The venue was visited today to view the construction work underway on the enhanced facilities by Matt Smith Executive Director at the International Rowing Federation (FISA), Alison Nimmo ODA Director of Design and Regeneration, and Debbie Jevans Director of Sports at the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).


Matt Smith, Executive Director at the International Rowing Federation (FISA) said: "Eton Dorney has already established itself as one of the best rowing courses in the world. It will be a great venue to host the Olympic and Paralympic events in 2012. It was good to visit the site again and to see construction work underway early-on. I look forward to seeing these enhanced facilities take shape in the run-up to 2012."

Construction work is now underway on site with a 50m temporary bridge now lifted into place to provide temporary access across the return lane. Work to demolish and remove the existing finish line bridge is also well underway and works to construct the new, enhanced finish line bridge is due to start on site next month. The Eton Dorney enhancement works are expected to be complete in Spring 2010.

(CD/GK)