Two new climbing facilities’ plans in the territory are making progress. Climb Yukon Project Manager Joti Overduin was at Climb Yukon’s Annual Bouldering Competition at Porter Creek Secondary School Saturday. She mentioned how there wasn’t a lot of space to move around with a lot of climbers there.

“We’re looking forward to the day when we can spread out a bit, hopefully, in the new facility.”

Overduin said there is no definite timeline for the start of the project yet.

“The goal is … to not rush it and do it well,” said Overduin.

Overduin said the building will not only be a climbing facility; it will have two tenants.

“It’s gonna be a multi-purpose facility, so both Climb Yukon will be in there and Polarettes gymnastics, so a lot of thought has gone into this and the only reason it’s really happening is because of the support from Yukon and the federal government.

“The timelines aren’t set in stone but hopefully the tender will be ready – it will be going out for tender sometime before the year end and from there, see where that process leads and how fast that goes and then when the shovels can hit the dirt, will be a good day for Climb Yukon and for the Polarettes.”

The timeline to actually build the facility is also to be determined.

“I’d sort of be looking to other larger buildings that – new builds that have taken place and the timelines for those would probably reflect what happens here. And it may be a little bit more complex given that … it’s a building designed for recreation, so there’s a little bit more to it.

“They do have the location. It’s gonna be in Whistle Bend. That’s where there’s enough space … and we’re all really excited and preparing for that.”

The new facility is expected to be located on Goddard Way.

Overduin is keeping busy with the project.

“A lot of people weren’t aware that the facility was happening, so just getting the word out and just getting as much feedback from the community as possible to feed into our operational plans as we look ahead at programming and staffing and what the needs of the community are.”

The estimated budget for the climbing/gymnastics facility is between $19 million and $22 million.

Meanwhile, a climbing wall is well underway in Haines Junction at the St. Elias Community School. Kàłx’òkw (pronounced Kalh-Q-yoke), a teacher from St. Elias, travelled to the Climb Yukon competition with her teaching colleague, Albert Surroca and three youth. She said “We’re trying to get our bouldering wall up and running in Haines Junction.

“We’ve got the boards up in place. We’ve got the rocks. I don’t think it’s officially installed, like, the rocks aren’t put in place as of yet, but I think it’s on its way to being there.”