Climbing Wall
Dear Editor: Last weekend, well over 50 kids climbed on the newest feature at the Hames Center, a 16-foot-tall by 30-foot-long new rock climbing wall, complete with overhangs, arêtes, and a kids’ obstacle course for games.
We have been working on this climbing wall expansion idea for 2 years and we have many people to thank for their generosity! First is the community-run Hames Center on the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, the place where all ages and abilities come together to play.
The climbing wall was funded by donations from climbers and community members, as well as grants. Individual cash donations from our incredible donors funded half of the construction! We heartily thank Steve and Kari Fish, Brita, Eric and Liv Speck, Kasey Davis, Matt Lawrie, Becky Branson, John Hardwick, Ral West and Makenna, Russell Brandon, Adam Andis, Ivan Grutter, Tasha Folsom, Pat O’Neill, Cindy Edwards, Brant Brantman and Ernie Johnson. We would also like to thank the Juneau Community Foundation for our seed grant and The Crossett Foundation for a major grant to create the kids bouldering wall. Locally, the Sitka White Elephant gave us grant money for kids’ crash pads and safety equipment.
The expansion was built by the talented Jamal Floate of Renaissance Construction with assistance from Dustin Hack of the Alaska Beam Company. Both companies gave substantial labor donations to help our budget. A very special thanks goes to Marcel LaPerriere of Southeast Cedar Homes who provided technical guidance. We also owe a huge thanks to the Hames Corporation and Precision Boatworks for their donations.
We cannot thank enough all the tireless volunteers for their over 400 hours in planning, designing, demolishing, building, painting and hold installation to bring this fun new climbing wall to the community. We all loved the sumptuous climbing wall cake that Allison Bayne created for the grand opening.
Finally, we are infinitely grateful to the community for supporting the Hames Center, another fine program of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp. With all the support and new interest, we will be able to offer expanded climbing hours, climbing lessons and a fun new space for parties and training events. Please contact the Hames Center or see their website for more information. We hope to see you on the wall.
Blain and Monique Anderson,
Hames Climbing Wall Coordinators
