N.B. Work is currently underway to widen the river access in front of the club house, and install a new pontoon! For full details of this exciting development, click here.
The clubhouse of Pengwern Boat Club has changed little since it was constructed in 1881, (although there are obvious signs that the weight-room is a later addition) and although it is adequate to the current needs and requirements of the membership, the idea of expanding the physical structure of the club to enable membership expansion and modernisation of facilities is not a new one.
In 2001, planning permission was granted for proposed extensions and extensive refurbishment of the clubhouse. With numerous boats already having to be stored on external racks, limited changing facilities and limited space for functions, this new development will be very welcome and secure a brighter future for the club for many years to come.
As with many projects of this size, finance is the major stumbling block to its successful implementation. As discussed in a recent report (31st January 2002) by Rob Pinsent (Club Secretary) and Nigel McDonald (Chair of Lottery Sub Committee) the estimated cost of the entire scheme is in the region of £ 200,000. On the positive side, the club has already committed £ 60,000 of its own money to fund the venture, in addition to a similar sum available from Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council. The estimated shortfall is approximately £ 70,000. One possible source of additional funding is the National Lottery grants scheme, however this avenue has been all-but rejected by the membership in view of the high level of competition for gaining such an award, and the fact that even if won would require a significant restructuring of the way the club is run and therefore undesirable in terms of maintaining the status quo.
An obvious alternative to the full-scale plans as proposed would be to take a step-by-step approach, or to scale down the proposal to match the funding currently available. On the other hand, this would probably mean a much longer gestation period for the full project, or to a certain extent admitting defeat and settling for less than what we really want.
Clearly, there is much still to be resolved, but in the meantime life at the club most defintely goes on. We all continue to wait patiently (although I'm sure some impatiently) for the building work to begin...
Contact the Captain for further information.
Dave Jones
