Located on the north side of Lakewood Park on the Lafayette River, just minutes from campus, the ODU Rowing Center is a two-story, 13,000 square foot, boathouse facility that houses the Lady Monarchs rowing program.
"We are very excited to have the full support of ODU in this regard," said ODU head coach Dan Garbutt. "The facility is a great boost to the continued development of ODU Rowing."
The boathouse features two heated bays on the first floor with storage space for approximately eight eights, six fours and over 12 pair/doubles and singles. Also on the first floor is a team locker room that accommodates up to 60 student-athletes. The coaches' offices are on the second floor, along with a team lounge/study area that has a flat screen television and wireless internet access. A training area with enough space for 40 rowing machines and other training equipment also makes up the second level.
The $2.3 million rowing center represents a joint partnership project between the city of Norfolk and the University. Designed by Clark-Nexsen Architecture and Engineering, and constructed by Mid Eastern Builders Inc., the project will also include a 167-foot launching pier, to be completed by midsummer.
"This facility is a prime illustration of how the city of Norfolk and ODU are continuing to enrich the quality of life for our students," said ODU President John R. Broderick. "The boathouse will definitely provide engaging opportunities and first-rate accommodations for the rowing team and its supporters.
"This is an outstanding facility that will allow our team to practice and train year-round, and grow into what we expect will be a highly competitive program in our athletic department," said C. Wood Selig, athletic director. "There are few rowing programs in the country that have this kind of facility.