E-mail this pageFitness Center Unveils New Climbing Wall
"I think it's just time to climb," said Dr. Laurence Soroka, chair of the Expeditionary Studies Program, at the dedication of the new climbing wall in SUNY Plattsburgh's Fitness Center in Memorial Hall. And that is just what students and Climbing Wall Supervisors Matt Simeti and Alex Jinks did. They took to the walls, demonstrating the proper way to scale the new structure.
The Strategic Plan
Around ten years ago, Soroka came up with the idea for the wall when he was working on strategic plans for SUNY Plattsburgh's Adirondack Experience and the soon-to-be-created Expeditionary Studies Program. He saw the wall as a way to enhance the programs through indoor adventures.
At the time, however, funding was not available. As a result, Soroka said, "I was a thorn in a lot of people's sides," asking when funding might become available.
Finally, a year and a half ago, things started to happen. Funds from the Fitness Center covered most of the cost. Campus Auxiliary Services contributed the rest, and with what President John Ettling called, "warp speed," the plan came together, and the wall was installed.
The Wall
The "wall" is actually four walls built within a former racquetball court. It has been lined from top to bottom with gray texture and removable rock faces. The faces have color-coded pieces of tape to mark the different course routes for climbers to take with varying degrees of difficulty.
Ropes stretch from the floor to the ceiling, 20 feet high, so that rock climbers can take turns balaying (holding the ropes) while others climb to the top.
According to Fitness Center Director Matt Salvatore, members are very excited about the wall. Before the wall even opened, an entire week's worth of balay training courses were fully booked.
The climbing wall at SUNY Plattsburgh is unique, said Salvatore, in that most centers charge additional fees for the training and the gear. Here, there are no such fees.
"The wall is an exciting new opportunity for students at Plattsburgh State, and I'm happy to be a part of it," added Salvatore.
Closing One Chapter, Opening the Next
The opening of the climbing wall may be a new beginning for the Fitness Center and its members, but for Soroka, it marks an end of sorts. It is the last piece of his original strategic plan, or as Soroka puts it, "It is the period at the end of the process."
Now he has moved on to other plans that will offer Expeditionary Studies majors new opportunities for adventure. For instance, there is a mountaineering and kayaking trip to Nepal this spring. According to Soroka, "It is a busy and exciting time."
Contact Information
For more information about the Fitness Center at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
Matt Salvatore, Fitness Director
Office: 120 Memorial Hall, Department of Sports and Wellness
Phone: (518) 564-3142
E-mail: salvatm@plattsburgh.edu