LETTER: The scoop on the Coop

On the exterior wall, six women dive with pointed toes and arched backs; their coloured suits strongly contrast the grey cement wall. The entrance is covered by a large sliding door which when lifted; reveal double glass doors and what can be called a forgotten culture. Against the background, angled walls contrast the many coloured holds plastering its walls. Blue gymnastic flooring covers the length of the room while training equipment lay on the loosely organized shelves. 

The Grandwall Bouldering Cooperative is on par with the some of the best training walls in the world such as the Schoolroom in Sheffield. Many of Squamish’s strongest climbers have and continue to train in this gym. But despite its reputation as being exclusive to the local hard-man, beginners are finding this place as a fun oasis. The wide variety of holds and angled walls make it easy to choose the difficulty of climbs, while the routesetting offers everything from V0- to V-hard. 

Despite its affordability, the Coop’s member base has dropped significantly due to a new commercial climbing gym in town. It’s hard to compete with their offering of routes, bouldering, and cappuccinos. But difficulties inspire ideas for improvement… Things once frowned upon, like route-setting, are now the norm. An old rule of needing two years climbing experience was banished, thus welcoming beginners and children alike. A cleaner was hired; its doors opened to dry toolers and training clinics, while a LED MoonBoard and standardized campus board were installed. Sadly, the Coop has until June 2017 to decide its fate; continue with hopefully more members, open in a cheaper space, or close its doors forever...  

As a non-profit, the Coop isn’t out to rake in the dough. Since its birth in 2008, it’s been run by volunteers who love it for what it is. While its original mission was to provide a training environment to survive the Squamish winters, it has transformed into much more. Though the climbers have changed over the years, a small but strong community remains; many of whom cannot imagine training elsewhere. The Coop clearly fills a niche in the climbing facilities of Squamish. What it offers isn’t easily replicable. It’s quirky, filled with character and characters. They say wine betters with age. Many would argue the same about this special bouldering cooperative.  

To learn more visit Climb On Equipment or go to www. grandwallboulderingcoop.org and www.facebook.com/grandwallboulderingcoop.