Clemson is expected to soon be an even more attractive mecca for college and high school rowing teams.

The result, according to city officials, could be a seven-figure financial boost to the local economy.

The Clemson City Council has unanimously agreed to spend $35,000 to purchase a second three-lane race course that will be installed near the YMCA beach on the Oconee County side of Hartwell Lake pending a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The action follows the council’s decision at its Sept. 21 meeting to spend $26,850 on a second crew dock. The spending was approved contingent on the Corps granting the permit.

Both purchases will be funded by hospitality tax and local accommodations tax revenues, according to Clemson city administrator Rick Cotton.

The Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce Sports Council, which hosts the Clemson Crew event, will own and maintain the dock and course, according to Cotton.

The expansion will allow a maximum of 20 teams to train at the facility during the spring break rowing program. The current facilities allow up to nine teams.

According to Clemson Chamber estimates, the direct economic benefit for local hotels, restaurants and other businesses from hosting the rowing teams after the expansion would be about $1 million.

During rowing exercises in March that attracted teams from, among others, University of Rhode Island, Purdue University, Marist College and Indiana University, Clemson University rowing Coach Richard Ruggieri estimated the boost to local hotels alone at close to $70,000 a week.

Cotton said Clemson officials would be meeting with Corps of Engineers officials within two weeks concerning the permit.