The Kootenay Climbing Association has risen close to $100,000 with a grant coming in this week pushing them through the crux of their fundraising drive.
The Columbia Basin Trust approved $20,000 for the new climbing gym at Selkirk College’s 10th Street Campus through their Community Development Program.
“This grant pushes us through the crux of our fundraising drive and allows us to proceed with confidence to design and build,” said association treasurer Larry Bickerton. “To date, the Kootenay Climbing Association has raised $97,013 for the construction of a climbing wall in the Mary Hall gymnasium. The project is currently undergoing detailed design and engineering.”
The association calls the support coming from the community “outstanding.”
In addition to the CBT grant, they have confirmed corporate support from Valhalla Pure Outfitters, the Nelson District Credit Union, the Kootenay Co-op, Whitewater Ski Resort, Summit Mountain Guides, NRG and Queen City Charters.
Another 67 individuals or families have signed on as “wallbuilders.” The Osprey Foundation, the City of Nelson, Regional Districts E,H, and G have also contributed.
Nelson has been without a climbing gym since Gravity Climbing Centre closed in April 2012.
The Kootenay Climbing Association is a non-profit society that is mandated to promote climbing by establishing and operating an indoor climbing facility for children, youth and adults servicing the West Kootenays. Their guiding principles are focused on the responsible and safe operation of the facility in an ethical, cost-effective and community-focused manner employing professionally certified ACMG indoor instructors.
The facility will include bouldering and roped climbing areas catering to all ages and abilities. The total cost of the project is estimated at $120,000.
