GRAND RAPIDS ? Cascade Engineering Founder and CEO Fred Keller, a former oarsman, is setting the pace for the Grand Rapids Rowing Association to host the 2012 Mid American Collegiate Rowing Association Championship Regatta in Grand Rapids on April 28 expected to produce more than $350,000 for the West Michigan economy.

The Regatta?s Grand River course will start at Riverside Park, run downstream (from north to south) for 2,000 meters (approximately one mile) and finish at the Ann Street Bridge.

Approximately 1,500 athletes from 25 colleges and universities will participate in the Regatta. These schools include Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University.

?As a former oarsman, I can tell you from personal experience that Grand Rapids has one of the best courses in the country for rowing because the Grand River is straight, wide, has very little boat traffic and a low flow rate,? Keller said. ?It is such an important asset for our city and the Regatta will help us to show that.?

In addition to the 1,500 competitors, another 1,000 spectators are expected to attend. According to the West Michigan Sports Commission, this influx of visitors to Grand Rapids could potentially produce more than $350,000 in visitor spending.

?A large number of athletes and their families will be coming to Grand Rapids to take part in the MACRA Regatta,? said Doug Small, Experience Grand Rapids president.

?These people are going to stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, shop in our stores, and use our river. They are going to get the complete Grand Rapids experience. It will be a great economic boost for our city.?

The 2012 Regatta marks the second time Grand Rapids has hosted the MACRA Championships. The Regatta was previously held here in 2007 and since that race, the GRRA has built up its rowing infrastructure on the Grand River. New, permanent docks were purchased this past winter and will be installed at Riverside Park at the beginning of April. New clocks and course equipment were purchased as well.

?Our ultimate goal is to attract more large-scale regattas to Grand Rapids, and the 2012 MACRA Championship is a fantastic event to start with? said Landon Bartley, GRRA president. ?But we need the support of our great community to truly make it a success.?

?When the MACRA crews row this course and see what a great city Grand Rapids is, they’re going to want to come back,? Bartley said. ?Word is spreading throughout the rowing community that Grand Rapids is perfect for our sport, and this regatta is just the beginning.?

For more information, click on GRRowing.Org

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