Activity and Reception Centre. Photo credit: EverythingGP staff.

By Curtis Galbraith

Community

Grande Prairie Climbing Association working to raise $1 million for new climbing wall

Oct 24, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The Grande Prairie Climbing Association is working on getting funding sources for a new climbing wall.

The $1 million wall would go up in the Activity and Reception Centre. Some of the money, $220,000 from Alberta Winter Games legacy funding, is already in place.

Mayor Jackie Clayton will write a letter of support for this project.

Association President Christopher Sherk Dart says this will be a big help.

“(If) we can show we have support from our local governments, then it’s easier to get those grants because a lot of the granting agencies can see that this is a project that already is supported. They’re not going to be going in alone on it and it’s going to go ahead with that kind of support from the mayor.”

Association Secretary Matthew Vavrek says having the city support the project is really important.

“By being able to use the Activity and Reception Centre, that gives us a space to start working with and that is a huge asset for us in terms of getting a facility built because now, that allows us to focus on building the interior, building the wall itself, rather than having to worry about the outside infrastructure.”

Sherk Dart says the wall would be 30 feet high and 60 feet wide.

“With a 10 foot overhang in some sections with a second section that has a mezzanine with a bouldering area. It’s a shorter style of climbing. (There would also be) 15 foot walls on top and down below.”

There would also be ropes for climbing and mats at the bottom. Vavrek says the wall would be designed to be used by a wide range groups and groups that are bigger in size. He adds there is also lots of room to grow at the Activity and Reception Centre.

Vavrek says they have been talking to the County of Grande Prairie and MD of Greenview to gauge their interest in supporting this project.

“If you look at the previous surveys, the recreational surveys for both the city as well as the region, a climbing wall or climbing facility is often within the top three in terms of most wanted indoor facilities.

Vavrek says the association feels that “having a climbing wall in Grande Prairie is something that would really benefit the community.”

“We’re already in the middle of winter and it’s only mid-October. We need things to be able to get out of our houses, to be active, to have community, to build those social interactions and climbing is an incredibly social activity.”

Sherk Dart says they hope to start construction within a year.