Texas Rowing Center contract renewed, with stipulations

The Texas Rowing Center has been located along the shores of Lady Bird Lake for decades and has consistently renewed its boating concessions contract with the city. However, members of the Parks and Recreation Board noted Tuesday that certain aspects of the company’s land management need to be addressed before City Council executes a new five-year agreement. Board Member Sarah Faust said that, in addition to several outdoor boat racks encroaching into the trail area used by park patrons, she noticed containers of chemicals strewn about in the grass. She asked that the parks department require the Texas Rowing Center to properly store any chemicals. Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly McNeeley told the board she would personally talk to the rowing center to ensure that the chemicals are safely stored, and that the boats located outside the boathouse belong to the University of Texas and the rowing center is working on finding a storage solution for them by the end of the year. With assurances that these two issues will be addressed, the parks board unanimously recommended that Council approve the contracts and concessions agreement with the rowing center.