Former Saint John church to become New Brunswick's largest climbing gym
A former Saint John church is about to be turned into New Brunswick’s largest indoor climbing gym.
The name of the new facility, Climb 1884, is a tribute to the year Saint John the Baptist Church was built in the city’s uptown.
The church was one of nine Catholic churches closed within the Saint John Diocese in 2018.
The couple behind the project, David and Mary-Gwen Alston, already operate an outdoor adventure company in Saint John and were looking to expand into a spacious indoor space with high ceilings.
The deal was made public over the New Brunswick Day long weekend. Former church parishioners are reaching out to the couple on social media platforms to share relief about the building being saved.
"You’d hate to see these wonderful pieces of history go to the wayside if you can avoid it," says David, adding people are reaching out to see if they can acquire a wooden church pew.
The building still has its stained glass windows which will remain.
"The detail in each one of these stain glass windows is amazing," says David. "The architecture we see up above, the gothic architecture created 137 years, is something you would never see today."
CLIMBING COMMUNITY EXCITED
The new indoor gym is meant to complement existing climbing facilities located across the province, says David.
While there are other locations specializing in boulder climbing, Climb 1884 will focus on rope climbing.
The floor-to-ceiling height in the middle of the church altar is 42 feet, which is creating excitement in the local climbing community.
"What the church provides is the steepness that most climbers are looking in climbing routes and an indoor gym," says Greg Hughes, president of Ascent New Brunswick, a non-for-profit organization acquiring and preserving climbing locations.
Hughes says the architecture of the former church will also provide opportunities.
"It’s really nice to have inverted walls so you can make roofs or overhangs that just tend to be more interesting and fun to climb. That is what the church is going to excel at," says Hughes.
CLOSURES AND CONSOLIDATIONS
Churches have been closing and merging across the region, with former faith venues being transformed into everything from homes to restaurants.
"It’s kind of an interesting scenario to become a specialist in church sales," says realtor Jason Steven, who has sold two former churches in Saint John, including Saint John the Baptist Church.
"There were multiple people interested in this property."
"These sorts of properties are really treasured. It was a unique offering for sure that had many multi dimensional uses. I’m just happy it will be repurposed," he says.
The former church will receive a new roof as part of its renovations and repairs.
Climb 1884 is set to open in spring 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.