Kootenay Climbing Association (KCA) is calling for community support to help fund an Olympic calibre climbing facility in Nelson.
“This project has an estimated cost of about $11 million and in order to get to that level of funding we have to do a lot of work directly with our provincial government and also our federal government, but before we can get that to that part we really need the community to step up and say yes it’s a priority, we want this.” said Jayme Moye, Vice President Kootenay Climbing Association.
“And more than just in words, we need to raise the initial one to two million dollars from the community so that government understands, yes this is a huge priority for this region.”
A state-of-the-art facility would bring greater opportunity and capacity to service the region’s mountain sports culture.
“We can only fit 30 people in our climbing gym in Nelson. 30 people, that’s it, which means people have to stand at the door during peak hours, waiting for someone else to leave to get in.” said Jayme.
“This facility would service a much larger segment of our population.”
“We’re talking 500 percent more climbing surface area.”
“It also will be the first facility in the BC interior that will be capable of hosting Olympic caliber climbing competitions.”
And would give locals and opportunity to stay and train.
“We’ve had a couple instances of kids with Olympic climbing ambitions who’ve actually had to move out of Nelson because we don’t have climbing walls of that capability in the Kootenays.” said Jayme.
The facility would boast 15-metre-tall climbing walls, as well as cater to all climbing elements from lean to speed climbing and bouldering.
It would also increase after school care capabilities.
Last year, Nelson’s current centre saw 16,389 single check ins, from almost 3,000 different individuals.
And while coming from an outdoorsy culture, the facility would enhance locals to climb even when they weather is bad, or smoke affected by wild fires.
“Our air filtration and HVAC system in a climbing gym is really above and beyond what you normally see inside of a building and that’s because climbers use chalk on their hands to be grippier, and that means this is a safe airspace,” said Jayme.
“And in times when outdoor recreation is being limited or downright dangerous to the wildfire smoke, we actually are building a climate refuge just by the nature of climbing, we have an interior climbing space.”
The Campaign
The KCA has launched an official public fundraising campaign where Kootenay residents can show their support.
“The campaign allows individuals and local businesses who are interested to help make this happen” said Jayme.
“We’re calling it a patron campaign, where people are able to donate a monthly amount for a period of two years. The minimum amount to become a patron is $25 a month.”
“It all helps.”
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