The Llandysul Paddlers Canoe Centre has been awarded a £20,000 grant for marketing materials and equipment.

The grant was made by the Innovative Communities project, part of RDP Sir Gâr’s Axis 4 Innovative Hubs scheme.

The centre in Pont Tyweli, on the banks of the River Teifi, is managed by a board of directors and staffed by professional, casual and voluntary workers. It provides a facility for national, regional and local clubs and groups while also being used by commercial providers as one of the key all year round inland water facilities in Wales.

Community Development Officer Helen Williams, said: “The importance of the canoe centre in social, economic and leisure terms is demonstrated by the networks it has developed with statutory and commercial providers over a period of time and these relationships have supported the centre to its current level.

“It was, however, recognised that there was a need for greater investment to maximise the centre’s potential in realising both tourism growth and development of the local population in its aspirations to be involved in canoe sport.”

The funding was used to purchase a parcel of land to allow for expansion, produce leaflets, business cards and banners to give them a presence at events and in public places such as Tourist Information Centres, tourist accommodation, supermarkets, leisure centres and public houses. They also had sign writing on three mini buses and a box trailer to ensure they are advertising the centre wherever they go.

Due to an increase in the number of customers, they required more canoes, kayaks, paddles, helmets, buoyancy aids, wetsuits and wetsuit boots to meet demand and continue the growth of the centre. Innovative Communities provided further assistance by funding the wetsuits and wetsuit boots.