Meets international standards
“In recent years, Kaunas has been paying a lot of attention to the development of sports infrastructure. Water sports are no exception. Several Olympians have been trained in our city, so I have no doubt that by improving conditions, we will have more and more of them each time,” says Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
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The judges’ finish tower being built at Lampėdžiai quarry will be one of the most important rowing course structures meeting international requirements. The three-story structure will reach 13 meters, and the total width will be about 146 sq. m.
The tower is installed right in the water body, in the finish line zone of the course. It rests on four massive steel piles filled with concrete. Because of this, the structure is extremely rigid and resistant to wind, wave, ice loads, and corrosion.
Above the piles, a steel frame made of columns, beams, and a system of stiffening ties is being built. This technological solution will allow creating an open observation tower adapted for judges’ work and competition observation from different heights.
Personnel will access the tower via a pontoon engineering device, and from the shore – a stationary pier supported by six reinforced concrete piles.
“The finish tower will become the main work center for judges and competition organizers, from where all course lanes will be monitored, finish results recorded, and competition progress coordinated. Together with the entire Lampėdžiai rowing course, it will form infrastructure that meets the requirements for organizing international rowing competitions. This will be the first such finish tower in Lithuania,” says Tadas Vasiliauskas, head of the Sports Department of Kaunas Municipality.
A similar judges’ finish tower is used at the Vaires-sur-Marne rowing base in Paris.
Modern conditions
The modern “Bangpūtis” base in Lampėdžiai was opened six years ago. It features a 2-kilometer-long course and an administrative building with spaces for athletes.
At the same time, over 11 tons of scrap metal were pulled from the lake bottom.
In the adjacent building – a gym, administrative premises, changing rooms, special rowing simulators that help athletes maintain their form during winter.
Arranged shores for recreation
This summer, the entire beach area in the southern part of Lampėdys Lake, near Gervių Street, was completed. New recreational infrastructure adapted for people with disabilities has been installed here.
Visitors are welcomed by a public beach with changing cabins, outdoor showers, water fountains, toilets, paths, stairs, ramps, lifeguard points, and information stands adapted for the visually impaired.
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Residents can also use the children’s playground and exercise zone.
