Monday, May 08, 2006
Crystal Lake Has Competition for 2016 Olympic Rowing Venue
The Chicago Tribune Perspective section took a look at the possibility of holding the 2016 Olympics in Chicago and guess what?
They found a rowing site closer to Chicago than Crystal Lake.
How can it be?
Wasn't Crystal Lake promoted by the Crystal Lake Rowing Club to be as a promising venue for the 2016 Olympics, even in the CL Rowing Club's application for a $14,800 tax subsidy from Crystal Lake?
Would I be criticized by suggesting that holding the Gay Games Rowing Regatta in Crystal Lake is about more than, well, rowing?
The Saganashee Slough, west of Palos Hills, was the suggested site. In fact, a local developer on the Cal-Sag Canal has spent money to attract the Chicago Rowing Club, according to the Chicago Tribune. (How convenient the local rowers forgot to mention the Gay Games until right after it got a $7,000 grant to promote the harmless Palm Sunday teen regatta.)
The tourism promoters are looking forward to regattas on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Tribune quotes the Chicago Rowing Clubs coach Michael O'Gorman as saying
They found a rowing site closer to Chicago than Crystal Lake.
How can it be?
Wasn't Crystal Lake promoted by the Crystal Lake Rowing Club to be as a promising venue for the 2016 Olympics, even in the CL Rowing Club's application for a $14,800 tax subsidy from Crystal Lake?
Would I be criticized by suggesting that holding the Gay Games Rowing Regatta in Crystal Lake is about more than, well, rowing?
The Saganashee Slough, west of Palos Hills, was the suggested site. In fact, a local developer on the Cal-Sag Canal has spent money to attract the Chicago Rowing Club, according to the Chicago Tribune. (How convenient the local rowers forgot to mention the Gay Games until right after it got a $7,000 grant to promote the harmless Palm Sunday teen regatta.)
The tourism promoters are looking forward to regattas on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Tribune quotes the Chicago Rowing Clubs coach Michael O'Gorman as saying
the Cal-Sag (is) "a great row," noting that its overhanging bridges will give spectators a bird's-eye view of the action.It's so unlike Crystal Lake's Main Beach, where this is what you will see at the Gay Games Rowing Regatta.
Comments:
<< Home
Cal -
The Slough looks to be about 9000 feet long and a minimum of 1000 ft wide at it's narrowest points (two islands). Seems like a good rowing spot, protected from wind by the hills in the area.
As I said before, the City of Chicago and GG took the easy way out and don't seem to have looked very hard. They just barged into CL and made threats to get what they wanted.
The Slough looks to be about 9000 feet long and a minimum of 1000 ft wide at it's narrowest points (two islands). Seems like a good rowing spot, protected from wind by the hills in the area.
As I said before, the City of Chicago and GG took the easy way out and don't seem to have looked very hard. They just barged into CL and made threats to get what they wanted.
By the way, when you look at the slough on Mapquest, it does not show the actual demensions of the body of water. Try Google Earth for a picture for better reference.
Post a Comment
<< Home
