Still the Finish Line Tower . . . Labe Arena, the National Olympic Center, Is Looking Forward to Hosting Rowers

The water surface reflecting the sun rays is being ripped by paddles and rowing oars. The noisy construction machines and workers are keeping the shoreline alive. Center of the water sports, known as the Labe Arena, already woke up to a spring time. The European Rowing Championship will begin in less than two months.

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The finish line tower is the busiest place. The reconstruction of the two lower floors is done, the top three are being worked on. “All new electric wiring is being installed,” points Michal Kurfirst, the Director of the areal. The view from the window presents a new terrace and a small tribune which replaced the old wooden spectator grandstands, worn out by the time. In the subfloor level of the shore line is the glass enclosed space of 200 m2 which can be used as a press center or the medical center as necessary or needed.

There will be food stands on the terrace and also a mobile prefabricated spectator stand with the capacity of 3-5000 for the rowing event and, later in August, for 5-7000 spectators for the World Canoeing Championship. That will increase the capacity to 7000 seats for rowers and 13,000 for canoeists.

“These are two huge events not only for our country. Already last year 200 beds were added to the capacity of the Regata Hostel which brings the total to 450. We also have a completely renovated restaurant facility,” proudly ads the Director Kurfirst. The Department of Education, Youth and Sports donated 80 million Czech crowns, with additional 12,5 million coming this year.

In addition, the Regional Office of Ústí nad Labem is financing a training dependency nearby on Labe River in Štětí to a tune of 60 million crowns. „It’s usually very crowded on weekends during the racing season and our rowers need to hit the water,” explains Kurfirst. As soon as the National Head Coach, Englishman Simon Cox, calls for the training camp of the Czech team, the program of the others will adjust to it.

Both championships are cooperating in one organizing committee. Canoeists will also get a new bridge separating main channel from the return channel - strict requirement of the International Federation. It is not anything like Potemkin’s village. It has been already in plans from 2013 for the national olympic centers. It will be ready in the middle of May when the Labe Arena will service 1500 athletes during the European Rowing Championship and 2000 during the Canoeing Championship.

Local and foreign teams are training there already now. “It will be full during the Easter. Scandinavians come regularly for the warmer weather and all want to be on water as much as possible,” are reminding the locals.

“Areal is already a top one. We all appreciate it and want to show off to the world but we also want to attract locals to the water sports,” says Václav Chalupa, a legend of the Czech rowing, six times olympian and silver medalist from Barcelona 1992.

“The international rowing federation, FISA, gave us the highest mark with the star,” proudly stated Dušan Macháček, the Chairman of the Czech Rowing Federation.

So far 200 million Czech crowns were invested and the similar amount is being in the plans. Still the weight room and relaxation center is missing.

The reconstruction of the areal looks impressive from the Czech point of view but on the world scene it is rather a standard. Similar complex is usually built by the river or it includes two channels. “We are still catching up,” states Director Kurfirst, with a smile.

Traditional parking lot behind the main grandstand was turned into a construction area. It will be closed during the championship for the regular visitors anyway.

What is the best way to get to Račice? Certainly by the train. For those who arrive by car a new option is being prepared. “We have approached the company Mondi from which we could lease the high capacity parking lot in Štětí by the exit toward Litoměřice. From there the buses would bring the visitors to the venue,” ads Kurfirst. The sand mining is being considered in the area adjoining the channel and until that is decided, the land needed for the parking lot will not be available.

The areal in Račice continues to be alive regardless. The World Junior Championship will come to Račice next year and the other events will follow.

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The Team Managers Meetings on racing days will take place 30 min. after the start of the last race of the day.

 

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