Rowing: Training facilities boosted
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.British rowing was boosted yesterday as plans were unveiled for a new pounds 30m training course in Reading. Built on the site of an old quarry the 600-acre water park will be part-funded by the National Lottery and by the sale of property around the edge of the facility.
However, the project still hangs on the verdict of South Oxfordshire Council's planning committee, which will receive an application later this week. Its long-term planning strategy does not allow the building of residential property on the land, which will cause problems as the cash raised from the sale of such developments is the key for the project getting the go-ahead. Despite this the landowners do not envisage a problem and aim to get the project ready by the autumn of 1999 in time for the Sydney Olympics.
"We currently train in Henley but we've always run into problems. In the winter the water gets dangerous and in the summer the river [Thames] becomes too congested," the two-time Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent said.
"It's difficult to share the river with other users and this facility will make our final preparations for Sydney a lot easier," his colleague Steve Redgrave said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments