A major upgrade to the Reinhold Batschi Men’s National Training Centre (RBMNTC) for men’s rowing was today officially opened by the Australian Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
The $1.7 million development, funded by the Australian Government, through Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), provides the elite rowing facility with improved changing rooms, new laundry, consultation rooms and enhanced disabled access.
“The long-awaited facility upgrade is an enormous boost for Australia’s rowers who are an integral part of our nation’s high- performance sports environment,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The rowing centre was originally built in the early 1980s as part of the AIS Rowing Facility and this significant investment represents the biggest upgrade to the elite training facility in 35 years.
“Importantly, the redevelopment now allows the centre to host not only the full-time male athletes when they are on site, but also visiting athletes from the Hancock Prospecting Women’s National Training Centre (based in Penrith), Australia’s elite Para-rowing Program and the Pathway Training Camp groups.”
Rowing Australia CEO, Ian Robson extended his thanks to the Australian Government, through Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport, for the ongoing support of rowing and its athletes.
“The upgrades to the Reinhold Batschi Men’s National Training Centre brings the facility to the same standard as our dedicated female rowing centre, the Hancock Prospecting Women’s National Training Centre, which was opened in Penrith in 2017,” Mr Robson said.
“The athletes have had a disrupted year, with the postponement of the Olympic Games, but have continued to train diligently, even when their facility was in the midst of renovation. I would specifically like to thank Canberra Grammar School, who generously allowed our Men’s National Training Centre athletes to train out of their sheds, for part of 2020, while the building works were underway.
“I know our athletes are all extremely grateful and excited to be utilising the new spaces and continuing their pursuit of Olympic glory for Australia while based at the centre. We delighted to now have a facility that is fit-for-purpose for all our elite athletes to use when required and that would not have been possible without the funding and support of the Australian Government and Sport Australia.”
Snapshot of upgrades:
- Sport Australia and the AIS granted Rowing Australia $1.7 million to upgrade the changing rooms and consultation rooms at the centre.
- The facility was established in 1986, with expansions including the gym, ergometer room, treatment areas and changing rooms.
- This is the first upgrade to the changing rooms since they were added in the late 1980s.
The new upgraded facilities include:
| Improved disabled facility access. | Gender neutral bathrooms. |
| Heightened shower facilities to accommodate taller athletes. | Secure locker space for up to 50 athletes across two changing rooms. |
| Laundry facilities for athletes to wash kit between sessions and maintain good hygiene practices. | New roller shutters for the rowing sheds, the first upgrade in 35 years. |
| Dedicated specialist consulting rooms have been installed for support staff to utilise. | Improved study facility spaces for athletes. |