STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees has approved the purchase and renovation of a property in Coventry to serve as a boathouse for the UConn women's rowing program. This action took place at the Trustees' meeting on Wednesday.

The property is located at 44 Lake Street in Coventry and contains an existing 10,000-square foot building with 150 feet of water frontage to Coventry Lake, where the Huskies practice and play host to home events. This new boathouse allows the University to comply with Title IX requirements.

"We are excited to announce the addition of another state-of-the-art facility for our athletic program," says Director of Athletics David Benedict. "This future project will provide our rowing program with an elite facility and one our student-athletes, alumni, and UConn Nation will take great pride in."

The cost of the purchase of the property is $930,000 and the renovation budget has been approved for $2,650,000.

"This is a big day for the UConn rowing program," says rowing coach Jennifer Sanford. "I appreciate all the work that many people put into securing this location.  Once completed, we are going to have a top-of-the-line facility which will help in our recruiting and our day-to-day operations.  I'd like to thank the Board of Trustees and President Maric for their support of this project and our program."

The scope of the renovations will include approximately 6,000-square feet for boat storage and 2,000-square feet for locker rooms and rest rooms. The remainder of the space is not usable and will be taken down.

The renovations will include storage for boats, modular docks, and powered launch boats.

The target completion date for the renovations is summer of 2026.