2014 Gay Games Boston Bid

[glrfcentral]

We started this topic after sifting through the three bids presented for the 2014 Gay Games. All three bids have included rowing as one of the featured sports. See the GLRF story here. A decision on the selection won't be made until 29 Sep 2009.

 

Obviously the Boston rowing bid was presented by a non-rower. The venue is listed as the Weld Boathouse and the course 'halfway up the Head of The Charles' course. In talks with Boston and Massachusetts rowers, they have suggested that the only location for a sprint course in Boston would either be near the powerhouse stretch (with an accommodation for maybe four lanes), and the main basin. Many rowers have opined that hosting a 1k or a 2k course in the main basin would be a disaster due to the winds, waves, and large boat traffic.

 

The only suggestion for an alternate site would be to use the established, world class course on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, west of Boston. [location] driving time is estimated at 50 minutes.

 

The big advantages to hosting a Boston Gay Games rowing event here: seasoned volunteers, a ready made course, and an established rowing club to host the event (if they would consent).