A brand new athletic feature, course and events are being added to the SFCC gym with its opening in fall of 2018.
With the many new and expansive features, one stands out for a different type of athlete. Included in the gym will be a multi-person climbing wall. The rock wall will allow for upwards of three routes to be climbed at one time.
Moreover, with the new construction classes and clubs will be offered to those specifically focused on a beginner level, but all, experienced or not, will be welcome to sign up and join. The class aims to expand rock climbing experience and knowledge to students.
“We plan on having classes, and possibly a rock climbing wall club,” said Ken Burrus, Dean of Physical Education. “We are looking at examples from EWU, and other colleges regarding open access times. We want the facility to be well used in a safe manner.”
The main focus of the rock climbing wall will be for beginner level usage, but will still remain open for all experience levels. At any level, the student will be able to experience a high level of physical activity.
Rock climbing offers a lot of health benefits. For example, it combines cardio and strength in one workout, tones muscles, increases flexibility, reduces stress, and burns a lot of calories in an hourly workout, according to www.healthfitnessrevolution.com .
Some students are already looking forward to the new addition to the campus.
“I have been rock climbing for three years,” said David Shepard, SFCC student. “I mainly climb outside now, there is a lot around Spokane that many people miss out on. I will be interested to see what the school offers for the off season.”
Many students experience the outdoor activities that Spokane has to offer. During the harsher months of winter it can make physical activity easier if there is an option indoors. Rock climbing offers a solution to this problem, but Shepard has a mild skepticism as to what can be done.
“Given the limited space, and I am assuming they are just doing a bouldering wall, something that will be really important is interesting angles,” he said. “If you just have a vertical wall, which is common in a school gym climbing wall, then the angles can get boring really fast.”
The courses that will be available for rock climbing have not been fully announced, but we know it is aimed towards people that have little to zero experience.
“I would be interested to see a safety class, roping class, and obviously a strength training course,” said Shepard. “In the end, we need to see the wall ‘set’ interestingly enough to create difficult movements for people, so they can constantly experience new things and be challenged throughout the course.”
The gym will officially open for students in Fall of 2018 with the rock wall fully constructed inside.
Aiden Swank | Juan Lopez