Organizers at a soon-to-be cooperative are hoping their proposal for the former Powell Stores building in Townsite is climbing one step closer to completion.
The fledgling Powell River Climbing Co-operative recently put out a call for funds in support of a climbing gym for the Townsite space.
“We are really hoping to see the climbing community grow in Powell River,” said Kevan Robitaille, one of the members of the co-op. “People in Powell River need another indoor, family-friendly activity to do on a cold and rainy winter night.”
Robitaille, along with Luke and Tracy Raftl, are hoping to raise a total of $15,000 through crowdfunding to help purchase designs for the gym and become an official cooperative.
“We are not looking to build anything too complicated,” said Robitaille. “We want something to help those just getting into climbing, as well those wanting to grow their skills.”
So far Robitaille said they have looked at a few designs, including some from North Vancouver’s High Performance Climbing Walls and Rockwerx’s Canadian division, based in Ontario.
“We want a certain percentage of overhanging walls, vertical walls, various shapes and small training areas,” he said. “We are hoping the whole area will be covered with one continuous wall.
Robitaille is hoping the gym will go into the upper floor of the Powell Stores building and is grateful to the building’s landlord, Steven Brooks, for holding the space.
Brooks, a West Vancouver developer, bought the 74-year-old building about three years ago with the aim of creating a public market.
“I’m trying very hard to support and help these amazing folks to get this and other exciting businesses set up,” said Brooks.
Since June, work has shifted from seismic upgrades to the exterior of the 40,000-square-foot building, which has been branded The Warehouse.
“There is still a fair amount of work that needs to be done, as well as the various permit and approvals that the different businesses will need to get,” said Brooks, “but my hope is that by next spring that we will have four or five of these businesses open.”
According to Ray Boogards, director of parks and recreation for the City of Powell River, having a climbing gym is something the city has looked into before, but was not able to do.
However, there may be a possibility for further grants for the group down the line, such as a city grant-in-aid, said Boogards.
“They should come down and talk to me,” said Boogards. “This is an awesome opportunity for the community.”
Powell River Climbing Co-operative’s deadline for raising money for climbing wall designs is Sunday, November 15. For more information readers can go to prclimbinggym.com.
