User:Crelke/sandbox
Junction Climbing Centre[edit]
"The Junction" | |
| Location | 2 - 1030 Elias Street London, Ontario N5W 3P6, CAN |
|---|---|
| Owner | John Kudelka and Dave Perozzo |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 2013 |
| Opened | July 9th, 2014 (partial) July 19th, 2014 (grand) |
The Junction Climbing Centre, also known as "the Junction", was the first rock climbing facility located in London, Ontario. Co-founded by John Kudelka and Dave Perozzo, the Junction is prided to be a place where beginner, novice, and experienced climbers can gather. Located at 1030 Elias Street, London, Ontario, the Junction is right beside a railway junction -- an inspiration for the gym’s name[1] -- and the facility was once home to a steel factory. The word junction means “the state of being joined, or a union.”
Facility[edit]
The building process began in August 2013 and lasted three months. After a building hiatus, construction began again in April 2014 and opened in July 2014.The Junction is a 7,000 square foot facility with 35-foot rock climbing walls.[2] All the materials were supplied by Walltopia, Europe’s world leading climbing company.[3] The Junction opened its doors to the general public on July 9, 2014. Its official grand opening was July 19, 2014.
The facility has top ropes as well as auto belay systems, mechanical safety systems that protect a climber from falling. They also have a wall dedicated to bouldering, an area where walls not higher than 16 ft. can be climbed without the utilization of ropes or special equipment. The low height is said to have a "fast turnaround time and enhances the social experience and team atmosphere".[4]
Due to the steady growth since opening, a 5,000-square-foot area has been left for a possible expansion.[5]
Amenities[edit]
- 48 top rope routes
- 40 lead routes
- 50 boulder problems
- 60 ft lead cave
- Air conditioning
- Auto belays
Services[edit]
- Guided climb
- Group guided climb: Climbing is ideal for school groups, youth groups, and sports teams as an activity to build cohesiveness and camaraderie.
- Bouldering
- Lead certification test
Belay test[edit]
New and recently certified belayers at the Junction must demonstrate to staff their ability and knowledge of proper harnessing, correct knots, and appropriate belay methods prior to belaying at the Junction. Belayers must be at least 13 years of age.
Events[edit]
- Crank In the Dark Bouldering: Blacklight bouldering
- Kids That Rock: A 10-week climbing program for kids with a passion to climb[6]
- Bouldering Competitions
- Day camps
- Birthday parties
- School groups
Partners[edit]
- MEC
- Lululemon Athletica
- Lucid Digital Media
- Mountain Hardware
- The Guelph Grotto
Development Charges[edit]
The Junction opened just a few weeks after London City Council passed a by-law which planned to cut development charges by 95%. As a result of JCG opening and defying a city by-law , the Junction was forced to pay $111,816 in development charges.[7] If they had opened a few weeks later in August after the new by-law was imposed, the centre would only have to pay around $4,000. Kudelka and Perozzo asked for an exception, in hopes that the fee would be reversed or lowered. In an 11 to 3 vote, the refund was granted with a total charge reduction of $97,000.[8]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Thompson, Marty. "London's First Climbing Centre To Hold Grand Opening Saturday". AM980. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ Mullins, Angela. "Video: Metro scales the walls of London's Junction Climbing Centre". Metro News. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Welcome to Walltopia". Walltopia. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "The Junction Climbing Gym > How It Works". The Junction Climbing Gym. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ Mullins, Angela. "Video: Metro scales the walls of London's Junction Climbing Centre". Metro News. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "The Junction Climbing Gym > Kids That Rock". The Junction Climbing Gym. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ LeBel, Jacquelyn. "Junction Climbing Centre Asks Council To Reverse Development Charges". AM980. Retrieved 14 November 2015.
- ^ Lovie, Natalie. "Junction Climbing Centre Wins Plea To Reverse Development Charges". AM980. Retrieved 15 November 2015.