Pembroke Boathouse – Restoring a Community Hub on the Water

by Tom Wood | Oct 07, 2025 | Uncategorized

Raised £30,238 from 410 supporters

+£15,000 +Extra funding from Sport Wales: A Place for Sport

Paddle West Community CIC, based in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, has been inspiring young people and community groups through watersports and outdoor activities for years. Their work ranges from water safety training to adventurous paddle sessions with schools and youth organisations across the region.

For almost a decade, they had been trying to secure a permanent base at the town’s historic boathouse, and in 2025 they finally succeeded with a 15-year lease. This provided long-term security and the chance to transform the building into a thriving community hub.

“Pembroke Town Boathouse has not had a permanent tenant for a couple of decades and has been slowly falling into a state of disrepair,” explains Graham Booth, Director of Paddle West. “We are a not-for-profit organisation and could not afford the repairs without charitable funding.”

The Challenge

The boathouse, once a focal point on the river, had deteriorated over the years. Without investment, it was unusable as a safe or accessible space. Paddle West needed modern facilities to grow their offering, provide year-round activity, and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all ages and abilities.

Restoring the site meant more than simply repairing a building. It was about safeguarding opportunities for education, wellbeing, and community connection in the heart of Pembroke.

The Crowdfunding Campaign

To bring their vision to life, Paddle West turned to Crowdfunder. Their campaign aimed to raise £30,000 to fund:

The restoration of the building
Installation of lighting and power for evening use
Creation of changing rooms, a classroom, and a flexible meeting space
Facilities that could double up as vocational training and employment opportunities, particularly for young people leaving education or those with additional needs

The classroom was also earmarked for use by other local groups, extending the impact of the project beyond watersports.

“We train over 1,000 young people a year and would like to double this with better facilities,” says Graham. “The whole community benefits from not having a derelict building in the heart of town.”

Funding & Results

The campaign launched on 1 June 2025 with an ambitious target of £30,000. By the time it closed on 24 August 2025, it had exceeded expectations, raising £30,238 from 410 supporters.

A major boost came from Sport Wales’ A Place for Sport fund, which provided £15,000 of match funding, ensuring the target was within reach and encouraging the community to get behind the project.

“The Sport Wales funding means that we have been able to start the works on the building,” Graham says. “The town and community really came together to raise the £15,000 required for the match funding.”

Outcomes & Impact

With the funding secured, Paddle West can now:

Provide safe and modern changing facilities for participants
Run indoor sessions, training, and first aid courses regardless of weather
Offer evening and year-round opportunities thanks to lighting and power
Support young people with vocational training and work experience placements
Open the classroom to other local community groups, widening the project’s reach

“The project has given a bit more momentum to make improvements across the rest of the town,” Graham adds.

The restoration will not only improve participation in watersports but also provide a vital community resource, supporting wellbeing, skills development, and inclusivity across Pembroke.

Challenges & Learnings

Launching such a significant campaign required determination, particularly after years of waiting for the lease to be agreed. The team learned the value of setting a clear vision, engaging the local community through storytelling, and showing how every donation could help transform a neglected building into a community asset.

By demonstrating how the boathouse could benefit everyone in Pembroke, not just paddlers, Paddle West rallied broad support from individuals, businesses, and local organisations.

With funding secured and restoration underway, Paddle West is now looking forward to a brighter, busier future.

“A restored building will allow us to grow and provide activities to more people for more of the year,” Graham explains. “The ability to go inside in bad weather will make such a difference and allow us to deliver activities year round.”

The successful restoration of Pembroke Boathouse marks the start of an exciting new chapter for both Paddle West and the wider Pembroke community. With the backing of Crowdfunder and Sport Wales, the organisation has built both the physical and financial foundations for long-term growth.

If you are part of a sports club or organisation based in Wales, find out more about the Sport Wales A Place for Sport today.