Almost 30 years ago, plans were laid for an outdoor program at Brackendale Secondary, what is now Don Ross Junior High, that incorporated hikes to Diamond Head for Grade 8, Garabaldi Lake for Grade 9, and the West Coast Trail for Grade 10. For 16 years, the program ran because of the vision and expertise of then principal Rick Smith. It’s popularity caused Bill Rizun, then a young fresh faced teacher, to revisit the idea of a climbing gym with the help of Jim Harvey and design input from Chris Atkinson and Jack Fieldhouse. The top rope walls went up first because they provided terrain more in line with teaching new climbers movement skills and the bouldering cave idea was shelved…until now.
The blank canvas at Don Ross Junior High in Squamish. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Blumel ©
A decade and a half later, and sitting on the edge of a teaching career coming to a close, Bill Rizun decided that his exit gesture was to have this bouldering cave realized. He knew that the cave would provide more flexibly, allow students and teachers to use the gym, and would draw parents with students in Don Ross to use the cave, strengthening the school’s connection with the community. High Performance Climbing Walls, the Vancouver based design company who did the original gym’s design years ago, was contacted and work began on a bouldering space; somewhere Bill felt students who were not traditionally drawn to gym sports could be active and develop strength and balance in a safe way. In my mind, a very selfless way to contribute to the new and growing climbing community in Squamish.
In the next month or two, another new climbing facility will appear in Squamish. This might seem odd when we have a new commercial climbing gym under construction right now, but this facility will be located at Don Ross Junior High School. Don Ross already has a decent top roping wall in their gym sporting a few overhung angles, but now they’re upping the ante with the addition of a bouldering wall. Bill Rizun, teacher at Don Ross and the force behind this new cave, invited me to see the facility and talk about some road blocks they have encountered, namely funds left over in the budget for holds. What came through in talking with Bill was that buying holds is not cheap and that they need some creative ideas to either generate more funds or better yet, put more holds directly onto their walls. This is where I thought I would make a direct call out to the Squamish Climbing Magazine community. If you have a woody that is sitting idle and unused, your garage a clutter of skis, bikes and stand up paddle boards, here’s an opportunity to liquidate your holds to a great cause. I’d say that holds of any sort are appreciated but positive edges, jugs and good foot holds are most in need. What you’re contributing to? Introducing climbing to a wide range of youth in BC’s largest and most extensive climbing area through exposure within the public school system. Youth growing up in Squamish should have the opportunity to learn about climbing and how it can enrich their lives.
If you would like to contribute, please email Bill Rizun at brizun@sd48.bc.ca or contact the school, Don Ross Junior High School (42091 Ross Road, Squamish, BC) directly at 604-898-3671.
