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ITHACA, N.Y. – Alumni Weekend is always a special time in Ithaca, as Cornellians of all ages return to the East Hill to reconnect with friends and the University. This year's Alumni Weekend was extra special for the Big Red Rowing alumni who gathered at the Collyer Boathouse on Saturday, June 12 to celebrate as Cornell broke ground on its $8 million Boathouse Renovation and Expansion Project.

Nearly 150 alumni and friends of the program gathered as Andy Noel, the Director of Athletics & Physical Education, Todd Kennett, the Spirit of `57 Director of Rowing, Mike Staines `71, the Cornell Rowing Association Chair, Sue Kallfelz VanderMeer `90, the Cornell Rowing Association Chair-Elect, and Bob Staley `57, a member of Cornell's legendary undefeated 1957 crew, broke ground on the project.

A new two-story structure will be built on the east end of the current Collyer Boathouse to house all dressing rooms, showers, meeting space, and a tradition room to recognize the many accomplishments of Big Red Rowing. The new building, designed by HGA, out of Minneapolis, Minn., and Collyer will be connected via a two story entrance lobby space with a second story bridge. Robison's interior will be gutted and used strictly for shell storage. Meanwhile, Collyer's second floor interior will be gutted and rebuilt as an open training area for all programs, suitable for C-II ergs, Gamut ergs, an exercise area and weight lifting stations. In addition, another boat storage building will be added to the south side of Robison Shell House to store rowing shells, launches, stake boats and buoys.

Construction has begun this week and should be completed in approximately 11 months.