A British Waterways Press Release
British Waterways has appointed contractor JN Bentleys to commence work on the £4.6m upgrade to the white water course and developer Meldrums Construction to construct a new £235K canoe storage building as part of the overall redevelopment of the white water course at the Tees Barrage.
The plans will see improvements to the existing white water course will ensure an international standard facility created at the Tees, attracting world class events and athletes from around the globe.
The engineering improvements involve reconfiguring the main course, building a second shorter course and installing four massive 12 metre long by 3 metre diameter Archimedes Screws, to pump the water needed to create guaranteed conditions for canoeists, rafter and other white water sports activities.
As part of the innovative design the four Archimedes screws will use river water to generate electricity making it the world’s first fully sustainable white water course.
Work has already commenced on site to construct the new canoe storage building which will create a bigger storage facility and is an essential part of the upgrade work to the canoe slalom which is due to commence in February.
The upgraded white water course will be a catalyst for wider regeneration opportunities along the River Tees corridor. The site has already been confirmed as a pre-Olympic training camp.
Funding for the £4.6m new world class white water course upgrade has been secured from One North East Development Agency, Stockton Borough Council, Sport England and British Waterways. The new £235k canoe storage building is funded through Sport England Community Club Development Programme and the British Canoe Union (BCU)
Jane Thomson, Regeneration Manager, British Waterways said: “British Waterways is thrilled that funding for the Tees White Water Course upgrade has been secured. We would like to thank our funder’s for their support on this project which will create a world class facility for both able bodied and disabled athletes . Working with our partners, we are pleased to be starting on site with the new canoe building, with the main contract to upgrade the course commencing in February.”
About British Waterways
British Waterways is owners of the Tees White Water Course and is the public corporation that cares for the 2,200-mile network of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales. The organisation works in partnership with private companies, local authorities, voluntary groups and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.