THE COLLEGE BOAT CLUB APPEAL
Why Row The benefits of rowing, now and in the future. • A sport for life, with friendships forged on the river • We provide equal opportunities for girls and boys • Learning the power of teamwork and discovering true team spirit • Low impact whole body exercise that develops strength and endurance • Enjoy the great outdoors whilst improving health and wellbeing • Freedom, independence and challenge • Discipline and commitment deliver results over natural ability • Opens doors to university sports scholarships globally, particularly in the US
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” Rudyard Kipling
Investing for Future Generations Ask any rower, be they a current pupil or an OP, what it is about rowing that makes it so special, and you will hear about shared goals, determination and bonds made for life. Since the establishment of the Boat Club almost 70 years ago, rowing has become one of the defining features of the College. Over this time Pangbourne has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s top rowing schools. With rowing so firmly embedded in our culture, and with our enviable four-mile, peaceful stretch of the Thames, we believe it is time to invest in a development which will increase opportunities and success for Pangbourne rowing.
A development to increase opportunities and success The current Boat House is no longer fit for purpose, and does not have equal access facilities for both genders. I believe our Boat House development scheme will inspire new levels of confidence and enthusiasm not only for Pangbourne rowing but for the College as a whole.
A call to everyone who loves rowing and Pangbourne This appeal will be critical to us realising our vision. This is a call to everyone who loves rowing and Pangbourne.
Thomas Garnier Head
A Proud History Established in 1955, Pangbourne College Boat Club has performed at the highest level in the UK and internationally. One of the only schools to have achieved four Princess Elizabeth Cup victories at Henley Royal Regatta, the Club has produced world class GB rowers and Olympians, including the current double Para World Champion.
‘Being able to row on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames, was an incredible experience. I hope that every Pangbourne pupil gets this opportunity.’ Frankie Allen, OP, double Para World Champion
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” Rudyard Kipling
The College’s Vision for the Future Committed to further strengthening its position as one of the leading all round co-educational schools in the South, over the next five years the College is embarking on an exciting and ambitious development plan, including a campus master plan for facilities. Although it sits outside the main campus, and thus the master plan, the pressing need for investment, and the enthusiasm of the College rowing community has determined the Boat Club’s position in the development of facilities.
‘As a premier rowing school, rowing will continue to be fundamental to our sporting programme for generations to come’ Patrick Roberts, Chair of Governors
With a new Director of Rowing, Tom Wilkinson, joining in October 2023, the Boat House is a critical
element of the College’s plan for rowing. With goals of developing performance and encouraging even greater rowing participation within the College, the new facility will provide vastly improved facilities and an exceptional training ground for Pangbourne as well as a venue for rowers from the local community, providing clear public benefit.
The Need Ever since the establishment of rowing at Pangbourne, the College has punched above its weight, competing successfully at the highest levels in the UK. Not only are we lucky to have perhaps the best stretch of the River Thames, but we have inspirational coaching and a top-quality fleet. Beyond this, there is the intangible but critically important matter of culture – the levels of motivation and determination at Pangbourne.
What the club lacks is a place to call home – somewhere to socialise, discuss the session and bond as a crew. As well as the positive effects on the rowers, the equipment would be kept in better condition. Currently half of the fleet is stored outside which reduces the life of a boat considerably. In short, a new Boat House would strengthen rowing at Pangbourne for generations to come. Athlete recruitment and retention would be higher and the overall rowing experience would be enriched for the long term.
The Missing Link We have everything in place apart from one element: Performance coaching Ideal stretch of river Deeply embedded rowing culture Suitable fleet A true home for the club
‘A Boat House is much more than bricks and mortar, it is the heart of a thriving club: the place to call home.’ Tom Wilkinson, Director of Rowing
The Benefits
Comfortable changing & socialising
Easy access boat storage Community use & facilities hire
Exceptional viewing opportunities
Celebrating the history Easy rigging & launching
The Plan: A New Landmark for Pangbourne Over the last year or so, in consultation with architects, the in-house team and external experts in the field, we have assessed different possible schemes and designs. We now have a scheme that we believe will give us the facility we need in a cost-effective and practical way. In short, this will amount to a complete transformation of our existing Boat House site.
‘The new Boat House is not just designed to be a functional, sustainable building to access our unique stretch of the Thames, it is also designed to be a place for our rowers to enjoy their sport and foster their independence away from the main campus.’ Thomas Garnier, Head
Key Design Features Club House Viewing balconies Catering facilities Areas to display Pangbourne’s rich rowing history Training facilities Changing and bathroom facilities for both genders Lightweight Boat Sheds To minimize groundwork requirements on account of proximity of road Angled arrangement of boat sheds to maximise value of narrow site Generous ‘hard’ area for rigging Designed to minimise the impact of flooding
Finance and Timing With our design now agreed, we have been able to estimate the cost of the project. This amounts to £3M (incl. Fees and VAT). We have submitted a planning application and have assessed possible timings. The timeline opposite is achievable if no major challenges are encountered with planning, funding or construction. Although the fundraising will continue in earnest during the first half of 2024, we have shown a split between what might be termed the ‘quiet phase’ and the wider appeal. This is because, though we will aim for wide participation in the appeal, major commitments made early in the process will be absolutely critical.
Dec 2023
May 2024
July 2024
Oct 2024
Oct 2025
Planning application
Quiet phase appeal feasibility assessment Wider appeal Pledge redemption (see over) Finalise design Prepare contract Construction
Estimated sale of Thames Cottage
Appeal target £1.325M Estimated project cost £3M
Already given by generous donors
Our Appeal: Key Features In Principle Support Phasing Donations
Naming
Success is contingent on obtaining planning permission and raising our appeal target sum. Therefore, we are asking for pledges, not donations. We aim to begin pledge redemption in July 2024.
We have planned the project cash flow so that donors can phase donations over two years, if they wish.
We will be happy to recognise the generosity of donors by naming elements of the scheme.
Communication
Indicative Naming Gift Values:
Donor Perspective Our fundraising is guided and overseen by a group of parents and friends. See list of Task Force members (back page).
College Commitment Committing the proceeds from the sale of Thames Cottage to the Rowing Appeal will be the College's most significant contribution to sport to date.
We will keep donors informed of progress, updating them on design details, costs and timings. This will include information about the progress of the fundraising. If the fundraising target is not met, donors will be contacted with the option of refunding donations or, if they so wish, redirecting their support to the College's areas of greatest need.
The Club House Function Room Boat Bay 1 Boat Bay 2 Boat Bay 3 Boat Bay 4 Boat Bay 5
£1M £500K £200K £200K £100K £100K £50K
In addition to specific named items, we will acknowledge every donor, unless they wish to remain anonymous, within the Club House.
Giving As a registered charity, Pangbourne College can claim Gift Aid and donors can benefit from higher rate tax relief. Total Face Value Donation
Total Value with Gift Aid
Total Net Cost to 45% Taxpayer
Annual Net Cost over 2 Years (45% Taxpayer)
£160,000
£200,000
£110,000
£55,000
£80,000
£100,000
£55,000
£27,250
£40,000
£50,000
£27,500
£13,750
£16,000
£20,000
£11,000
£5,500
£8,000
£10,000
£5,500
£2,750
£4,000
£5,000
£2,750
£1,375
‘Every good rowing coach, in their own way, imparts to their crew the kind of self-discipline required to achieve the ultimate from mind, heart, and body. Which is why most ex-rowers will tell you they learned more fundamentally important lessons in the racing shell than in the classroom.’ Daniel James Brown
Leadership Our experienced Boat House Task Force brings external rigour to both the project and the appeal. Task Force Members Siobhan Cassidy Julian Coles Thomas Garnier Lucinda Grafton Peter Lowe Ewan Pearson Patrick Roberts Phil Rogers James Underhill
Current parent Old Pangbournian Head Head of Development Old Pangbournian Past parent Chairman of Governors Current parent Development Consultant
Development Office, Pangbourne College, Pangbourne Rd, Berkshire RG8 8LA development@pangbourne.com +44 (0)118 976 6697 Registered Charity No. 309096