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London Olympics Information » Venues » Eton Dorney » About Eton Dorney
About Eton Dorney
Official site
http://www.dorneylake.com/
Capacity: 20,000 a further 10,000 will watch the events along the bank.
Location: Windsor
Status
It will have seating arrangement for 20,000 spectators, and a further 10,000 will watch the events along the bank. The seating stands will be taken down after the games. However, other upgraded infrastructure facilities at the Eton College Rowing Centre will be retained with a view to provide world-class training in rowing and canoeing.
About Eton Dorney
Eton Dorney project was conceptualised in 1960 by a group of Eton College teachers, who envisioned the need for a world-class canoeing and rowing facility by filtering out the dangers of organising such competitions in River Thames. A well-thought-out plan was laid down in 1980; work began in 1996 and was completed in 2006.
The lake is 2200 metres long and meets the requirements of International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA), making it a world-class rowing venue. The lake has eight lanes, each 13.5 metres wide. The shallowest area in the lake is 3.5 metres, which means rowing boats during the competitions can perform at peak levels. A parallel five-lane-wide warm-up channel was also built along the lake. The sources of water for the lake are natural aquifers with the water getting filtered as it passes through natural gravel. Care has been taken to keep the surroundings and the lake as environmentally-friendly as possible. Mini-wind generators and solar panels are used on special events. In order to keep a high level of the quality of water, fertiliser use was restricted in the nearby conservation area. Even the weeds are taken care of by a special breed of carp which feed on them.
Surrounding the lake is Park and Arboretum which offers a scenic backdrop to the high-profile venue. There are 30,000 trees which provide a lush green ambience and shelter to an ever-growing number of fauna. Visitors with an eye for fine arts can enjoy awe-inspiring sculptures around the park.
Interesting archaeological material was excavated during digging of the lake. The finds led to insights into day-to-day lives of people living in iron, bronze ages and also in the Roman times.
Eton Dorney played host to World Rowing Championships in 2006, when 60 countries took part with 1,200 athletes and variable weather did not cause any interruption to the event. Other major Regattas which have taken place here include Wallingford, Metropolitan (inspired by none other than Charles Dickens) and Marlow.
Eton College Rowing Centre has been very active in providing training to youngsters through programmes like Junior Rowing Initiative, well supported by Sir Steve Redgrave. He has won five consecutive Olympic gold medals in rowing from 1984 - 2000 and was made a CBE in 1997. Eton Dorney serves as a training venue to National teams, clubs, universities and the Army.
The venue's existing facilities have been extended to include areas for athlete warm-up and Canoe Sprint
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