Oak Ridge Today

USRowing Masters Nationals returns to Oak Ridge in 2017

Posted at
By 2 Comments

usrowing-1

The 2017 USRowing Masters National Championships will be held in Oak Ridge in August. The championships are scheduled for August 17-20 on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge. (Photo courtesy USRowing)

 

The 2017 USRowing Masters National Championships will be held in Oak Ridge in August.

The championships are scheduled for August 17-20 on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge. USRowing announced the dates and location on Friday.

There were more than 2,000 entries from 165 clubs for the 2016 event on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts, in August. It was the largest USRowing event ever, according to USRowing. (Oak Ridge rower Michael Schay won several gold medals there.)

The bar has been set even higher for 2017, USRowing said, citing Oak Ridge Rowing Association Regatta Director Sarah McAuliffe.

“Oak Ridge Rowing Association is extremely excited to provide an excellent athlete experience for rowers at Masters Nationals 2017,” said McAuliffe. “With our race course recognized as one of the best in the country, and an organization that has decades of experience hosting high-caliber events, rowers will have the ability to connect with other athletes socially and competitively…With our race course that is recognized as one of the best in the country, and an organization that has decades of experience hosting high-caliber events, rowers will have the ability to connect with other athletes socially and competitively.” [Read more…]

Local rower Mike Schay takes gold at Masters Nationals

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Mike Schay

Michael Schay, an Oak Ridge resident who rows out of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association boathouse, competed in the 2016 USRowing Masters National Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts, from Aug. 18-20, 2016, and he won gold medals in the Men’s F1x, Men’s E4x, and Men’s F4x. (Submitted photo)

 

By Evelyn Radford

Oak Ridge resident Michael Schay is making a big splash in the rowing community.

Accompanied by his wife and training partner Nancy, Mike rows out of the Oak Ridge Rowing Association boathouse, competing under the name of “Atomic.”

The couple recently traveled to Worcester, Massachusetts, to compete in the 2016 USRowing Masters National Championships. Unlike the flat waters of Melton Hill Lake that Mike is accustomed to, Lake Quinsigamond, the body of water where the 1,000-meter head-to-head races were held, is known for its hazardous conditions and constant choppy water.

Yet if you know anything about Mike, you know that when he puts his mind to something, he intends to accomplish it. Mike ended up sweeping almost every single event, advancing through heats to win gold medals in the Men’s F1x, Men’s E4x, and Men’s F4x. [Read more…]

TWRA looking for watercraft riders in hit-and-run crash that injures four on Melton Hill Lake

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Personal Watercraft Operator Melton Hill Lake Crash June 30 2016

A photo of a personal watercraft and operator that witnesses described as striking a boat containing a family pulling a child on a tube on Melton Hill Lake on Thursday, June 30, 2016. (Photo courtesy TWRA)

 

Tennessee officials are investigating a hit-and-run boating crash on Thursday on Melton Hill Lake in the area of Clark Park and Knox County Park.

The crash was reported at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday. Among the agencies that responded were the Oak Ridge Fire Department, which went to Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

According to witnesses, two personal watercrafts, or PWCs, were operating near the bluffs directly across from Knox County Park and going back and forth between the dock at the park and the bluffs where others were swimming, according to a press release from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Witnesses describe the operators as being reckless and inconsiderate, and as one of the PWCs left the bluff and headed toward the park, it collided with a boat in the area containing a family pulling a child on a tube. [Read more…]

DOE remains interested in transferring Clark Center Park to city

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge in July 2014. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

The U.S. Department of Energy remains interested in transferring Clark Center Park to Oak Ridge, and the city continues to discuss that possibility with the federal government even though it could be a strain on municipal finances, officials said Tuesday.

The property could be transferred at no cost to the city. But one of the questions raised two years ago about the potential property transfer was whether Oak Ridge could afford to take over the 80-acre park.

That appears to remain a concern. It costs DOE about $300,000 per year to operate the park, which is in south Oak Ridge on Melton Hill Lake.

“Monetarily, it’s difficult for us right now,” Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said Tuesday.

In 2014, there were Oak Ridge City Council meetings and public meetings about the future of the park and the potential transfer to the city. [Read more…]

Eighth rowing lane could cost more than $500,000, up to about $1.2 million

Posted at
By 25 Comments

Cardinal-Invitational-Regatta-West-Virginia-Rowing-March-12-2016

Twelve of the nation’s best NCAA Division I women’s rowing teams competed this month in the Cardinal Invitational Regatta in Oak Ridge. Pictured above, a West Virginia University team competes at Oak Ridge Marina on Saturday, March 12, 2016. The eighth lane would require some work along the Melton Lake Drive side of the course, which is on the right side of this picture. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 5:30 p.m.

An eighth lane at the seven-lane Oak Ridge rowing course could cost more than $500,000 and up to about $1.2 million, officials said Tuesday.

The eighth lane has been on the wish list of rowers and many local officials for years. They say it would allow the Oak Ridge Rowing Association to compete for bigger races and international regattas, which require an eighth lane. It would also keep the site a top-tier rowing venue and provide more on-water capacity, allowing more competitors in events. It’s also expected to significantly increase the economic impact of rowing races, or regattas.

Officials announced a $250,000 state grant for the eighth lane in April 2015.

In August, the city hired Barge, Waggoner, Sumner, and Cannon Inc. for design and survey work, among other tasks.

A March 1 memo from BWSC to Jon Hetrick, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks director, outlines five construction options with various estimates of probable costs ranging between $543,771 and $1,162,444. The five estimated construction costs include a 20 percent contingency. All five options would include a retaining wall and earthwork, which would include excavation and dredging. [Read more…]

Photos: Cardinal Invitational Regatta in Oak Ridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Cardinal-Invitational-Regatta-March-12-2016-1

Twelve of the nation’s best NCAA Division I women’s rowing teams competed this weekend in the Cardinal Invitational Regatta in Oak Ridge. Pictured above, a Notre Dame team competes at Oak Ridge Marina on Saturday, March 12, 2016. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Twelve of the nation’s best NCAA Division I women’s rowing teams competed this weekend in the Cardinal Invitational Regatta in Oak Ridge. Here are photos by Julio Culiat.

The rowing races were hosted by the University of Louisville at the Oak Ridge Rowing Association on Melton Hill Lake.

The 2016 Cardinal Regatta included the following rowing teams: [Read more…]

This weekend: University of Louisville hosts Cardinal Regatta in Oak Ridge

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Oak-Ridge-Rowing-Profile-Pic

Submitted

Whether you’re out for an early-morning walk or driving home from work along Melton Hill Lake, it is clear to see that rowing season has begun in Oak Ridge. Rowing teams from all over the northern United States and parts of Canada are beginning to arrive in Oak Ridge for spring training and racing.

This weekend, the University of Louisville will host its annual Cardinal Invitational Regatta. Twelve of the nation’s best NCAA Division I women’s rowing teams will compete on March 12-13 at the Oak Ridge Rowing Association on Melton Hill Lake.

The 2016 Cardinal Regatta will host the following rowing teams: [Read more…]

KCSO identifies man pulled from submerged vehicle in Melton Hill Lake

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Knox County Sheriff Badge

The man who drove his sport utility vehicle off the boat ramp into Melton Hill Lake late Friday afternoon has been identified, authorities said.

He is Michael Ferguson, 54, of Joneva Street, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said.

Witnesses told officers that he accelerated his vehicle as he headed toward the water, the Sheriff’s Office said. Divers with the Knox County Rescue Squad pulled his body from the submerged vehicle. [Read more…]

Man’s body pulled from vehicle submerged in Melton Hill Lake

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Knox County Sheriff Badge

A man’s body was pulled from a vehicle submerged in Melton Hill Lake in west Knox County on Friday evening, authorities said.

The body was pulled out of the vehicle by Knox County Rescue Squad divers.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office Major Crime Unit is investigating the incident. Witnesses told detectives that they saw a white male back up his SUV from the boat ramp, then put the vehicle in drive and accelerate as it reached the water. This happened shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, the Sheriff’s Office said. [Read more…]

Save the Date: Second public meeting on Clark Center Park on Oct. 27

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

The second public meeting on Clark Center Park will be held during the Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

The first meeting was in August. The 80-acre park could be transferred from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city.

The DOE’s Oak Ridge Office is in the process of reviewing the agency’s land holdings across the Oak Ridge Reservation, including Clark Center Park (formerly known as Carbide Park). [Read more…]

ORRA hosts Learn to Row class for visually impaired, blind

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Rowing Association Boathouse

The Oak Ridge Rowing Association boathouse at Melton Lake Park on the Clinch River.

The Oak Ridge Rowing Association will host a special Learn to Row class for the visually impaired and blind on Sunday, September 14.

ORRA is partnering with Visually Impaired/Blind Enhanced Services, or Club VIBES, to offer the class, which starts at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Club VIBES is a nonprofit organization with a mission to assist blind and visually impaired young people in the Knoxville area to live independent and productive lives by identifying their unique capacities and developing their individual strengths, a press release said. Club VIBES provides a free mentoring service for visually impaired or blind youth and their parents/guardians residing in or around the Knoxville area.

Twelve to 13 participants will launch on Sunday afternoon to engage in a new activity for those who have always wanted to try the sport but have not had the opportunity. [Read more…]

Bats: Friend or foe? Find out Sept. 4

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Bats are the topic of a free, interactive program on Thursday, September 4. Starting with a presentation at 7 p.m. and ending with a field demonstration with bat detectors, spotlights, and a thermal imaging camera by Melton Hill Lake, the evening will provide ample evidence that bats are friends, a press release said.

Although they sometimes suffer from a poor public image, bats are extremely beneficial animals: They are major predators of night-flying insects. Bat specialist Gerry Middleton, a biologist with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, is the presenter.

Following his 7 p.m. talk and a question and answer period, participants will adjourn to the marina on Melton Hill Lake for a field demonstration: Gerry will use his “bat detectors” (which detect echolocation calls) to help spot the nocturnal creatures as they forage for insects at dusk. He’ll also bring a spotlight and a thermal imaging camera to help participants see bats after dark. [Read more…]