New CWU Rock Climbing Wall Takes Shape

April 8, 2005

Contact: Steve Waldeck (509-963-3514/fax 963-3515/e-mail: waldecks@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Some of the best rock climbing in the Pacific Northwest is found in the Leavenworth Ranger District and Naches Ranger District.

Central Washington will soon also be able to lay claim to the top indoor climbing venue, located in the new Central Washington University Student Union and Recreation Center. Although the facility is not scheduled to open for several months, one of its primary components -- the indoor rock-climbing wall - is already nearly complete.

During the past three years, a select group of university students -- all experienced climbers -- worked with Entre Prises to design the 3,370 square feet climbing surface.

With more than 20 years of experience and over 3,500 completed projects worldwide, including for the downtown Seattle REI store and ESPN's X-Games, Entre Prises is generally considered the world's leader in climbing walls.

The new CWU structure includes space for bouldering, lead climbing and rappelling, with elevations of up to 50 feet.

The wall will be just one feature in the new recreation facility, open to all university students, which will also include a four-court gymnasium, elevated jogging track, fitness and weight training areas, group exercise rooms and outdoor equipment rentals. Faculty and staff will have to purchase memberships to use the facility.

The recreation side of the 228,260-square-foot Student Union and Recreation Center is scheduled to open next December 2005. The union portion will open in April 2006.

Beginning in the U.S. in the 19th century, rock-climbing interest has been on the upswing during the past several decades. Artificial walls and indoor facilities, which have made the sport attractive and accessible to more people, are given credit for much of the newfound popularity.

More information about the CWU rock-climbing facility is online at http://www.cwu.edu/~newsubrec/wall.html.