A big moment that I’m really proud of is that we took the initiative to close down before we were told to shut down.”ĭuring lockdown, the Calgary Climbing Centre accessed their community through their media platforms. We actually closed down before we were mandated to because we realized that we didn’t have the tools, at that time, to protect our community. At the same time, it was about protecting our community. Huitema said, “On one hand it felt like we were letting our community down by being unavailable for them. This is important to the Calgary Climbing Centre as their founding principle was one of service: to build a more accessible and accepting climbing space. Are we where we want to be, financially, if COVID-19 hadn’t happened? Definitely not, but it is nice to be able to keep our doors open and serve our community.” “I think it has been difficult for everybody, but I will say we are very happy to be operating and running and having people in the gym. It was definitely nerve wracking for our whole team.” We closed our doors without an expected date of reopening.
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Huitema admits that lockdown was anxiety-inducing. Though this expansive approach to a climbing centre is incredible, it does come with its own share of risk. Instead, each of the four locations has their own specialty all while remaining in close proximity to one another.
#Stronghold climbing gym professional
It resonates with a broad base of people.”īy appealing to so many different types of climbers, a person might expect that the Calgary Climbing Centre could not meet the requirements of both the professional and the recreational. It doesn’t feel like exercise even though it is. I think that is something unique about climbing. Huitema said, “We definitely have people in the gym who have no interest in going outside, but they climb the same walls and exist in the same space as those that go on those huge climbing trips across the continent. Like many new climbing gyms, especially those based in cities, not everyone is looking for an intense outdoor experience. Huitema credits the gym’s growth to, “the community-oriented spirit.” This collective positivity “is really inviting, even for those who aren’t inspired to go out to the mountains.” I think having the access to the Bow Valley really helps keep people inspired to climb and this is a really good starting place for them.”Ĭalgary Climbing Centre has built itself around accessibility for all. There is definitely growing demand here for indoor climbing gyms. Huitema said, “I think climbing is blowing up. This speaks to the current size of the sport. Though the Calgary Climbing Centre does operate four gyms in Calgary, these do not represent all of the climbing facilities in the city. It’s been spectacular to see that kind of growth in the community here in Calgary.” Calgary Climbing Centre – Rocky Mountain Then we opened up the Rocky Mountain location just over two years ago. About five years ago we opened up the Hanger location. “Since then, we have opened up two more locations in Calgary. It was bought by the Calgary Climbing Centre when the owners retired.” Coincidentally, Stronghold had also opened in 1995 as a separate facility. In 2007, they added the Stronghold Climbing Centre to the group. “They opened up their first location in 1995. That was the imperative for their start.” They wanted to create a space that was community oriented and welcoming to new climbers. According to Calgary Climbing Centre’s Matt Huitema, “The owners, Walson and Rhonda, opened their gym because they weren’t happy with the way the climbing gyms in Canada felt clique. Their story begins with a single gym in the mid-90s.
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It is a classic success of a community in climbing.
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In many ways, this facility represents all of the things indoor climbing has been and has become. It has grown with the sport’s increasing popularity. With such long roots, the Calgary Climbing Centre has seen the evolution of the sport in Canada as it has evolved. Since 1995, the Calgary Climbing Centre has been a family owned and family run business. With so many new facilities, it can be easy to forget that some of Canada’s most prominent climbing communities have existed for decades. Over the last decade, the number of climbing gyms in Canada has tripled.