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About

On WeddingWire since 2015

The John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse is a floating venue in Richmond, British Columbia located on the historic Fraser River. Boasting stunning views of the North Shore Mountains, it is conveniently located near Richmond's business and entertainment district as well as Vancouver's International Airport. The venue is perfect for hosting any type of event and is sure to make an impression on guests. Special care and attention to detail is taken by the staff, who strive to help couples create the wedding day of their dreams.

Facilities and capacity

The venue takes advantage of its distinct setting throughout. The interior event hall features floor-to-ceiling windows that welcome in the scenic vistas that surround the boathouse. Air conditioning is in the event hall space. The space is completed by a fireplace and lounge furniture as well as artistic wood carvings that are cast in relief by its ample natural light. The venue has a capacity of up to 150 guests for a seated dinner, and space for up to 180 attendees to enjoy a sophisticated cocktail party. Vows can be exchanged outside on the lower dock, which is also an ideal space to gather in the interlude between ceremony and reception.

Services Offered

The UBC Boathouse’s staff includes experienced events specialists. They offer a wide range of services including a coordination service that makes planning big days that much easier. Their multi-media package takes care of all a couple’s audiovisual needs, and they can provide access to furniture rentals. The management also offers access to a private get-ready space for the wedding party to avail of. The staff can help set everything up for a couple’s big day and will assist them to take everything back down again after the party has ended.

History

The John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse was named after a former UBC rower who won the silver in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Currently, it houses the UBC Thunderbirds rowing program and the St. George’s School’s rowing program. The venue also frequently hosts other rowing and paddling programs in the community.

Availability

Please visit our virtual calendar here (https://ubcboathouse.com/contact/calendar/).

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Frequently asked questions

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

1

Describe your venue:

Ballroom
Banquet hall
Boat/yacht
Marina

Describe the style of your venue:

City
Modern
Nautical
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Covered outdoor
Indoor
Uncovered outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal shower
Engagement party

What event services do you offer?

Bridal suite
Clean up
Event planning
Event rentals
Liability insurance
Lighting / sound
Outside vendors
Set up

What bar services do you provide?

Outside alcohol

What event items are available?

Audio equipment
Dance floor
Furniture
Lighting
Chairs
Tables
Tent accessories
Tents

What food and beverage items are available?

Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Parking
Shuttle
Valet
Wheelchair access

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$2,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1,250

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

Yes

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$2,500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$1,250

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Set up
Clean up
Chairs
Tables
Parking
Bridal suite

What is the average catering price per person for plated service?

$10

What is the average catering price per person for buffet service?

$10
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Reviews for John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
4.8 out of 5 rating
4.8 out of 5 rating
127 reviews
95% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    4.9 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    4.6 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    4.5 out of 5 rating
Julie
Julie K. Sent on 15/04/2024
4.8 out of 5 rating

Where Love Found Its Perfect Stage

Choosing UBC Boathouse for our wedding was one of the easiest decisions we made, and it turned out to be an absolute dream come true! From the stunning wooden infrastructure to the picturesque waterfront location, it captured our hearts from the moment we laid eyes on it.

The venue itself looked fantastic even without any decorations, but once we added our personal touches, it transformed into something truly magical. And despite initial concerns about echoing sounds when the venue was empty, the acoustics improved remarkably once it was filled with decorations and our beloved guests.

One of the reasons we fell in love with UBC Boathouse was the flexibility it offered in terms of vendors. While we knew we had to bring in our own, it was a breeze thanks to the ample time we had to organize everything. Plus, the venue's communication with and support from the event coordinator, Keira Gray, throughout the process were exceptional – they were there for us every step of the way, from the initial viewing to the nitty-gritty details of the wedding day itself.

Our guests couldn't stop raving about the natural beauty of the location, especially the breathtaking views of the Fraser River from the arch and head wedding table. And with ample parking along the dike, accessibility was never an issue for anyone.

The venue's layout was thoughtfully designed, with accessible hallways during event hours and locker rooms available for the wedding party's convenience. The small patio connected to the main hall was a lovely retreat for cooling down and taking a moment away from the festivities.
UBC Boathouse was incredibly accommodating of our floor plan and vision, making quick adjustments as we added new details or changed our minds. Despite having a February wedding and needing to flip the space from ceremony to reception, the process was seamless, thanks to the efficient setup and strategic use of cocktail hour and the photobooth to ease congestion.

Of course, finding vendors that aligned with our budget required time and effort, but it was well worth it in the end. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect venue for our special day. Thank you, UBC Boathouse, for helping us create memories that will last a lifetime!
Jennifer
Jennifer A. Sent on 25/03/2024
4.8 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Location

The Boathouse was gorgeous and the location was fantastic, all of our guests loved the venue! It was easy for our vendors to set up and take down their equipment. It was easy for us to reserve, pay, and communicate our desired layout with their provided floor plans. They even had access to a playground outside that the kids enjoyed.
Nicole
Nicole K. Sent on 20/10/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Our Special day

We absolutely loved this venue, the sunset was so beautiful, we couldn't have asked for a better weather day to have our wedding on the dock. The staff was great and accommodating for anything that was brought up. We we very happy with how everything turned out.
Devon
Devon S. Sent on 10/09/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Venue

We absolutely loved working with UBC Boathouse. Not only is the venue beautiful and doesn't need much decor, the staff was responsive, friendly and so incredibly helpful when we had to move our wedding date. Highly recommend!
Jamilla
Jamilla Sent on 18/11/2021
4.8 out of 5 rating

Dream Venue and excellent service at the UBC Boathouse

UBC Boathouse was the wedding venue of my dreams. The venue is grand, over-looking the Fraser river. It was the perfect summer wedding venue anyone can hope for with options for having either an indoor or outdoor wedding. The staff were so helpful each step of the way from planning to the final execution of my weddin. I also appreciated that they let me secure another since wedding date for this year as it was cancelled the year before due to COVID. I can't recommend them enough!
Kelly
Kelly M. Sent on 15/11/2021
5 out of 5 rating

2021 is the new 2020

From the initial walk through to our wedding day, the team at the UBC Boathouse was such a dream to work with. We booked at the UBC Boathouse when we had no choice but to cancel and replan our 2020 wedding. The venue it self is gorgeous and your guests are guaranteed to have a good time. If this venue has availability for your date, run do not walk, and book this venue.

Our wedding was on July 22 2021
Laura
Laura F. Sent on 24/08/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience - flexible and accommodating, especially through COVID-19

Everyone at UBC Boathouse has been amazing to work with, especially given everything going on with COVID-19 and needing to reschedule our June 2020 wedding to June 2021. What could have been a very stressful situation was made so much easier because of how accommodating and understanding they were. We would highly recommend them based on their responsiveness, flexibility and just simply being good humans!
Jesse
Jesse M. Sent on 16/11/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Naturally beautiful venue

We chose UBC Boathouse because it was an incredibly beautiful venue that didn't require a lot of decor to make it look good. We wanted a simple wedding with beautiful BC as the backdrop. The venue was absolutely perfect and the photos are stunning. On top of that, the vendor was so easy to deal with and super helpful. Setup and takedown with them was a breeze. We did not have to lift a finger.

It is near the airport, so expect planes to fly overhead. It was not an issue and the kids loved it. They who got excited every time a plane went by. :D
Madeleine
Madeleine Sent on 29/07/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect West Coast Venue!

UBC Boathouse was the perfect venue for our big day! We ended up needing to go with our plan B set-up due to weather, but they did all of the work, and made it the least stressful process possible. They were an excellent venue, our guests loved the view, and we had a stress-free wedding day! They were perfect for us!
Karina
Karina W. Sent on 25/07/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Flawless From Start to End

Liked that we worked with one person and discussed all options and floor plans available. Always very responsive in replying. Didn't use any of the vendors they worked with, but this would have been easy to arrange. It was a gorgeous setting and all our guests were shocked about this 'hidden gem'. Would love to host another event here.
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Awards

127
WeddingWire Wedding Awards 2016 Winner

John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse Real Weddings

Nicole & Dave
34 Photos · 20/Aug/2022
Jean & Chris
490 Photos · 06/Nov/2021
Rhea & Ben
20 Photos · 28/Jun/2019
Sunny & Kevin
15 Photos · 11/Aug/2018
Kelsey & Ryan
86 Photos · 31/Mar/2018
Sarah & Emil
7 Photos · 11/Mar/2018

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Map

7277 River Road V6X 1X5 Richmond (British Columbia)
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