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European Rowing Championships legacy plans for Strathclyde Country Park will serve the local community for years to come, according to the governing body for World Rowing (FISA).

Following the federation’s first technical visit this month, Matt Smith, FISA’s Executive Director, said the Park’s loch would not only provide an excellent venue for the 2018 event but deliver economic, social and sporting legacy for the local community and host city of Glasgow.

Strathclyde Country Park in North Lanarkshire will welcome 600 rowers as part of the inaugural 2018 European Championships, a new multi-sport event on the world stage. The Park will also host the triathlon during the 12 days of competition.

Staged by the Host Cities of Glasgow and Berlin, the 2018 European Championships will bring together the existing championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon as well as include a new Golf Team Championships at Gleneagles.
 
Around 3025 athletes will come to Scotland as part of a total delegation of 8500 including officials, media and others. A further 1500 athletes will compete in Berlin in the European Athletics Championships.

With the number of television viewers for the event projected at a potential 1.03 billion – with many more across digital channels – Glasgow and Scotland will be promoted across multiple European markets as a leisure and business destination.

As part of improvements being made ahead of the event at Strathclyde Country Park, the iconic timing tower is to be extended to ensure the loch remains on the roster of world-class rowing venues well beyond 2018.

Matt Smith said: “The Strathclyde rowing venue is one we know well as it has hosted a number of international events in recent years. With the extension to the finish tower as well as several other improvements, we are confident that it will not only provide an excellent venue for the 2018 European Championships of Rowing, but will continue to serve the community for a long time to come.

“This is approach is very much in line with World Rowing’s strategy which prioritises a sustainable economic, social and sporting legacy that will be available to the local community and affordable for host cities. I am convinced that Strathclyde and the City of Glasgow will benefit from this rowing venue. "

Colin Hartley, Glasgow 2018 Championships Director, said: “It was a pleasure to host FISA’s first technical visit along with our partners from Scottish and British Rowing and North Lanarkshire Council.

“We have pledged to work together to deliver not only a fantastic rowing competition which will project Strathclyde Country Park as a destination and world- class rowing venue across Europe and the wider world, but ensure that the event is delivered sustainably and to the benefit of the local community which is a priority for all the delivery partners.”