Cromwell College geography teacher by day, Kieran Parsons is on a mission to bring bouldering, ropes climbing, sport climbing, climbing coaching to both adults and children in Central.

He said he wants to hear from 500 locals via an online survey, about their views on the possibility of an indoor climbing facility for Cromwell.

“The survey is to give us an idea of the community demand for something like this, and the type of model that will work best,” Kieran said.

The project was one of the community-focused ‘Winning Ideas’ selected by Connect Cromwell for financial support from the Department of Internal Affairs (Te Tari Taiwhenua) to get started. 

Kieran Parsons lead climbing. PHOTO: Sebastian Grewe

A facility that opened in Te Anau in 2021 has shown Kieran what can be achieved in a town smaller in size than Cromwell.

“They’ve got a community non-profit type model in a shared multipurpose facility… it’s been very well supported.”

Along with calling for people to complete the survey Kieran wants to hear from people who want to help, or might know of any suitable buildings to house the climbing wall.

“The climbing wall builder I’ve been in touch with said around 200 square metres with climbing on three walls would be ideal.”

The stud height needs to be five metres (for bouldering) and upwards of 10 metres, and it needs to have a concrete foundation.

“There is potential to collaborate with other groups, the book is open really.”

Kieran said he has talked about the project for the past three or four years with other climbers in the “small but growing” climbing community in Central. 

Around 15 people, a mix of locals and seasonal workers, meet on Wednesday evenings (in summer) to climb in Bannockburn but in winter there is nowhere for them to practise or train.

After the survey is completed and an appropriate premises is secured, Kieran plans to apply for funding and then work with Christchurch business Uprising Industries who manufacture and build climbing walls for the next step.

“Imagine having the National Indoor Bouldering Series here in Cromwell, one day.”

The survey closes on July 23. To get in touch with Kieran email: [email protected]