GPS | McCallie Rowing Center officially opened

A crowd of Girls Preparatory School and McCallie rowers, current and former coaches, current rowers, school officials, parents and friends, and supporters of both schools’ programs gathered to officially open the world-class rowing center to the community.

After brunch in the center’s multipurpose room, GPS Headmaster Megan Cover and McCallie Headmaster Lee Burns severed the ribbon on the balcony overlooking the assembled guests.

“When I first got to GPS,” said Ms. Cover, “one of the things that impressed me most about the school was its rich history of athletics. As an athlete, trainer and mother of athletes, I know firsthand how important sport is for girls. So if you are on a program that is demanding of you, it is vital that you have a training facility to support you. I think you’ll agree that this new rowing center, which houses both GPS and McCallie rowing programs, is sure to give our student athletes an edge. “

Ms. Cover expressed her enthusiasm for the facility and the importance of a building that unites the schools in their rowing sport. “I believe the future is bright for our student athletes and our rowing programs,” she said, “and that marks a new chapter today in our coordinated athlete programs and strengthens the bond between our schools.”

The Chairman of the GPS Board of Trustees, Clay Watson, was also available for his remarks. “When I joined the Board of Trustees more than six years ago, the rowing center you see here today was still in the planning stages,” said Watson. “A lot of care was taken in defining a design and a plan that would benefit equally from the programs of both schools. As a result, we have a first-in-class structure that reflects our shared commitment to rowing and is evidence of how brother and sister schools can successfully divide the space so that both programs reach their full potential. ”

Located on the north bank of the Tennessee River at 971 Heritage Landing Drive, the center’s groundbreaking took place in September 2019 after the existing GPS boathouse was razed to the ground.

GPS and McCallie student athletes have been using the new building as a training center since spring 2021. The unique 15,000 square meter facility has a training room with 48 ergs and other conditioning equipment as well as three large bays for boat storage, a spacious multi-purpose room for team meetings and events, separate changing rooms with showers and offices for buses. Outside the center there is a dedicated car park and a larger dock for both teams by the water.

“I think I’m not the only one who says that what we have today is something to be proud of, a place that sets our programs apart from our competitors – those who are downstream and those across the country, ”said Watson. “This is a proud day for GPS and McCallie athletes and for our collective alumni who have returned today to see this dream come true.”

In July Laura Foster, former Division I rower, began her role as GPS Head Varsity Rowing Coach. Coach Foster’s experience includes serving as assistant head coach at Princeton National Rowing Association College in New Jersey and as head coach for men at Queens’ College Boat Club and as vice president of the Cambridge Women’s Program. Former GPS rower Maegan Gossett ’08 serves as the coordinator of the rowing center and as Foster’s assistant coach. Sean McCourt has been McCallie Rowing’s Head Coach since 2012.

The joint rowing center was made possible through a strategic partnership between GPS and McCallie. Seed capital from the estate of a McCallie alumnus began the project with a total of US $ 5.1 million that McCallie had raised; GPS provided the prime riverside land; Franklin Architects was hired and then again hired Peterson Architects of Cambridge, Massachusetts to design the building.

The GPS | The McCallie Rowing Center’s multipurpose room is available to rent to the public. For more information, contact Coach Gossett at [email protected].