More than five years before it opened, a group of UBC rowing alumni formed the Gold for Life Campaign with a mandate to build a permanent home for UBC and community rowing. The idea for the boathouse was conceived even earlier, at Frank Read’s funeral in 1994, at which time a committee was formed. In the late nineties, the chair of the committee was passed to Roy Macintosh and he got John Lecky involved. The fund was boosted, plans were formulated, and the City of Richmond promised the land. When John Lecky suddenly passed away the whole project went flat for over a year.

Architect's Rendering for UBC Boathouse

Construction in February 2005

Construction February 2005

Almost ready for transport

Roy then had George Hungerford to take over the project and it soared with involvement from the BC Government, Dr. Don Rix, and St George's School. The original group of old rowers from the 1950's raised $135,000 for the project, which ended up over $6 or 7 million.

The facility was completed in July 2006, named in memory of John M.S. Lecky, UBC rower and rugby player. The boathouse officially opened with a ceremony in September 2006. Full capacity would take several months after some construction interruptions.

Under Construction at Dry Dock

Supreme House Movers move the module onto the submersible barge.

Tight squeeze under the Airport Bridge and through the Moray Chanel Bridge.

First module is tugged along the river to its new home.

The John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse is a self-sustaining facility through revenue from its state of the art rental hall. It operates programs through a fee for service model, allowing the development and implementation of rowing and paddling programs from beginner to elite at a reduced rate.

First Module Secured

Second Module in Place

UBC Boathouse in 2009

Steve Tuckwood and Bob Philip - UBC Athletics, Jane Hungerford - GFL Exec, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Rod Hoffmeister - GFL Exec, George Hungerford, GFL Chair, Honourable Olga Illich - MLA Richmond

Set on the banks of the Middle Arm of the Fraser River in Richmond, the Boathouse is a centre of excellence - open year-round - that enables members of the community the opportunity to meet and train on the finest rowing water in the Lower Mainland, while offering study space for athletes and social space vital to the facility’s self-sustaining business model.

Location – 7277 River Road, Richmond, on the Middle Arm of the Fraser River, 400m upriver from the Olympic Oval.

Structure – 1256sm (13,633 sq ft) two story floating structure. The Main floor contains storage for 85 shells (boats). The second floor houses offices, changing rooms and a 120-person function room. There is 950sm (10,000 sq ft) of dock space.

Rowing course features over 5 km of water for training with potential for Head Races (time trials) of over 3.5 km distance.