Ballarat will host the 2014 World Masters Rowing Championships, welcoming more than 10,000 competitors and spectators to the shores of Lake Wendouree.
Ballarat’s successful bid was announced last night by FISA, the world rowing governing body, at the completion of the 2011 World Masters Rowing Championships in Slovenia.
City of Ballarat Mayor Cr Craig Fletcher said today’s announcement is a fantastic result for Ballarat due to all of the lake weed harvesting works and the dredging of the rowing course that the City has undertaken.
“This is the ultimate endorsement of Lake Wendouree as one of the world’s best rowing venues. The international rowing community is pleased with the successful restoration of the lake and are excited to stage this premier international event in Ballarat.”
Mayor Fletcher said attracting the World Masters was made possible by Council’s long term commitment to sustainably re-filling and rejuvenating Lake Wendouree and its surrounds.
“Over a number of years, City of Ballarat has put in place the pumps and the pipes to not only re-fill the lake, but make sure it can be sustainably maintained. The lake will never again run dry, and we’re now seeing the benefits of that strategy.”
The announcement of Ballarat’s winning bid for the 2014 World Masters Rowing Championships comes just days following the confirmation that the 2012 Victorian and National Rowing Masters Championships will be staged on Lake Wendouree.
“Ballarat has performed an event clean sweep that will attract many thousands of passionate masters rowers, their family and friends, and rowing enthusiasts from all over the state, Australia and the world to our city. The trifecta of state, national and international World Rowing Championships will deliver huge economic benefits to Ballarat.”
Mayor Fletcher said that Ballarat is no stranger to hosting national and international sporting events and that the competitors, support staff and spectators are sure to enjoy their Ballarat experience.
“Our city is home to three major national cycling championships as well as the state and Australian Masters Rowing Championships. Ballarat’s reputation as Australia’s premier events city is unrivalled.”
Mayor Fletcher congratulated Ballarat Regional Tourism on their hard work negotiating the successful bid and said BRT’s strong history of first-rate event management will ensure that the 2014 World Masters Rowing Championships will be a great success.
The 2014 World Masters Rowing Championships announcement is the culmination of a successful bid by the City of Ballarat and Ballarat Regional Tourism, and their strong and supportive relationship with Victorian Major Events Corporation and Rowing Australia.
Ballarat beat out Trakai in Lithuania to win the rights to host the 2014 Championships. It is the first time the event will come to Victoria and it is only the second time the Championships have been staged in Australia, with Adelaide hosting the event in 1997.