The Eton College Rowing Centre at Dorney Lake near Windsor , Berkshire , will host the Olympic rowing and canoe/kayak flatwater events, and the Paralympic rowing events in 2012.

 

Set in a 450-acre parkland within the grounds of Eton College , the venue currently consists of a 2,200-metre, eight-lane rowing lake, return lanes, and associated competition facilities.

 

The venue’s existing facilities will be enhanced to provide improved facilities for athlete warm-up and canoe/kayak flatwater events during the 2012 Games.

 

The ODA has now put the contract out to tender for companies to deliver the enhancement works which include:

 

· The installation of a new 50-metre span bridge over a widened entrance to the rowing return lane for two-way vehicular traffic and segregated pedestrian traffic

 

· Construction of a cut-through between the competition rowing lane and the return lanes, with a new bridge over the cut-through

 

· The upgrade of the existing gravel/stone access road up to the competition venue to facilitate construction works

 

David Higgins, the chief executive of the ODA said: “2012 will be about more than just London, it will be a nationwide Games, delivering enhanced facilities to a number of existing venues around the country.

 

"This contract is chance for construction companies to enhance Eton College Rowing Centre and deliver first-class facilities for the world’s best athletes in 2012.”

 

Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012, said: “Eton Dorney is a world class venue, already established internationally, and will provide a stunning backdrop for Olympic and Paralympic events in 2012.

 

"This is the UK ’s Games and it is good to see the search start for a company to enhance such an impressive venue outside London .”

 

The Eton Dorney enhancements contract has now been posted on the CompeteFor website (www.competefor.com) - London 2012’s chosen website for publishing Games-related contract opportunities.

 

 

The contract for the Eton Dorney enhancement works is expected to be awarded towards the end of 2008, with works due to start on site in early 2009.