* Directions to the John L. Collyer, Class of 1917, Boathouse and Doris B. Robison Boathouse
* Cornell Rowing Center Photo Gallery (Photos by David Revette Photograpy)
The Cornell University Rowing Center provides spacious and varied training facilities for the 150 women and men who participate in the rowing program.
Originally dedicated in 1957, the John Collyer, Class of 1917, Boathouse is a grand facility which underwent an $8 million renovation during the 2010-11 academic year. The newly renovated John Collyer, Class of 1917, Boathouse and Doris B. Robison Boathouse were rededicated in June 2011.
A new two-story structure was built on the east end of Collyer to house all dressing rooms, showers, meeting space, and a tradition room to recognize the many accomplishments of Big Red Rowing. One of the most important aspects of the project was to accommodate all athletes equally. The new building, designed by HGA, out of Minneapolis, Minn., and Collyer are connected via a two story entrance lobby space with a second story bridge.
Robison’s interior was gutted and is now used strictly for shell storage. Meanwhile, Collyer’s second floor interior was also 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 was added to the south side of Robison to store rowing shells, launches, stake boats and buoys.
The boat houses are tucked into a cove on the inlet that sits at the 1700-meter mark of the 2,000-meter race course. The inlet opens out into Cayuga Lake, a spectacular body of water that provides unlimited miles for the crews in training. The lake sits in a valley that provides views of the countryside and that offers horizons that complement the majestic beauty of the sport.
