By Terry Duffy
Editor-in-Chief
News continues to evolve on the It Happened to Alexa Foundation's 2018 Great Contraption Race.
Following the earlier announcement of the GCR move from the lower Niagara to the Buffalo River, coinciding with the Alexa Foundation's relocation from Lewiston to Larkinville, now comes word that the race has been rescheduled.
Stating difficulties on working with a pre-announced June 10 race date, Alexa Foundation Executive Director Dr. Kate Fowler said this week the popular on-water event will be held Saturday, Aug. 18, starting from the Buffalo Riverworks waterfront complex on Ganson Street, just east of Canalside in downtown Buffalo. (Actual race time still to be announced.)
"I asked Riverworks about August dates. They had two dates available. ... I (thought) the week before Labor Day might be too tough. So the new date will be Saturday, Aug. 18," Fowler wrote this week in an email to GCR committee members.
As to actual race logistics, Fowler said she is in contact with officials of the U.S. Coast Guard, Buffalo Sector, regarding securing the required permits, and is also working with Riverworks officials on such issues as a launch facility and setup area for race participants, plus insurance issues, etc.
She added the rescheduled date will afford her and the race committee time to better plan the additional race logistics - namely the types of watercraft that would be permitted in the Buffalo River, their size, the number of participants, and number of entries to consider. Also still to come is an actual race application for participants, plus such criteria as design, watercraft safety and personal liability issues.
Fowler said much of the race planning comes at a time while the Alexa Foundation is still in the midst of its move to Buffalo. She said the Alexa Foundation anticipates the move to the Larkin complex will be complete by May, with a grand opening announcement still to come.
She said further details on the race and an application are expected shortly.
"I can have the application right on the website with documents able to be downloaded directly from there. Since we are moving it out (there's still time,)" Fowler said of getting the application out to interested participants.
In the meantime, Fowler said she is planning to hold another CGR committee meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at a Lewiston location. For more, visit the Alexa Foundation website,
www.ithappenedtoalexa.org, or contact Fowler at the Lewiston office, 716-754-9105.
