Bouldering-only gym set to open to climbers

Facility has over 200 custom features to keep enthusiasts busy starting Friday

Who’s ready to get their climb on?

Edmonton climbing enthusiasts will gather Friday for the opening of Alberta’s largest boulderingonly gym, called BLOCS.

The 12,500-square-foot location in south Edmonton, 8761 51 Ave. NW, features a custom climbing wall, which was fabricated in Bulgaria and installed by a team from Canada and Europe, a news release said Friday.

The wall was so heavy that it made a hole in the parking lot when it was unloaded, the release said. The gym will have more than 200 custom-built features to keep climbers busy.

“With no ropes or technical knowledge needed, bouldering is a climbing style accessible to all abilities and ages,” said a statement in the release. “We are excited to help grow and develop Edmonton’s climbing community.”

A grand opening event will be held Friday night with approximately 200 members of the climbing community competing in climbing challenges.

The event is free for gym members, or $18 for guests.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Regular gym hours will start on Saturday.

The gym offers $18 day passes, $85 monthly prepaid memberships and $60 monthly recurring memberships, and $610 annual memberships.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing performed on artificial walls. Boulders on the wall can be removed and placed in different routes to give climbers a fresh, new challenge.

Canadian climber Selena Wong is the gym’s head route setter and will be in charge of refreshing the routes.

The sport of climbing will be a new addition to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and will include three disciplines: sport, bouldering, and speed.