Arizona Boathouse & Welcome Center

Project Began:
Vision when the Lake was built
Project Completion:
Construction will begin when fundraising goal is reached
Project Status:
Capital Campaign In Progress
Budget:
$10 million

Overview

The latest addition to the shores of Tempe Town Lake will be the Arizona Boathouse and Welcome Center, located next to the marina. The building will include boat and equipment storage, lakes access, multipurpose meetings spaces and offices. With state-of-the-art facilities, the Arizona Boathouse will allow for the expansion of programs that serve the Valley’s families and youth as well as athletes from across the nation and around the world.

Project Components:

  • Since opening to the public, Tempe Town Lake has become one of Arizona’s most popular attractions now drawing more than 2.8 million visitors each year for fishing, jogging, boating, bicycling, signature events and picnics.
  • When completed these activities will take place:
  • Clubs and Associations- A variety of boating clubs, including adult rowing clubs, Outrigger Canoe Clubs, Arizona Dragon Boat Club, Arizona Sailing Foundation and Arizona Yacht Club use the lake.
  • National and Regional Events – Town Lake is a host venue for many groups and events such as U.S. Rowing Association regattas, visiting college rowing teams, national rowing teams, paddling camps, an outrigger canoe regatta, the cardboard boat regatta and the Arizona Dragon Boat Festival.
  • Collegiate Rowing – Arizona State University and a new intercollegiate crew program for men and women, and support the current rowing programs organized through the ASU Student Recreation Center.
  • High School Rowing – Local high schools throughout the region are offering junior rowing clubs and competitive crew programs to their students.
  • Youth Rowing, Paddling & Fishing –  Underserved and at-risk students from valley youth centers and other organizations will gain greater opportunities to experience a variety of water-based recreation activities that otherwise would not be available
  • Special Olympics Paddling – Athletes from Tempe, Mesa and Chandler practice their kayaking skills on Town Lake.
  • Sailing for Students with Disabilities – ASU’s Student Recreation Center offers sailing programs for students with disabilities, delivering both classroom instruction and on-the-water experience.
  • Water Recreation Day Camp – Youth summer camp programs teach campers how to row, kayak, and paddle a dragon boat and an outrigger canoe.
  • As headquarters for the recreational clubs and programs at Town Lake, residents and visitors can sign up for a class, register for a race, buy a boat permit or purchase an event ticket—all under one roof.
  • The facility will be a gathering place or pit stop for runners and walking clubs that circle the lake, and bike clubs that hit the trails of Papago Park.

Major Donors:

  • Salt River Project
  • Salt River Project Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Transwestern
  • City of Tempe