For the week of January 8 - 14, 2003

Hailey climbing gym gets non-profit status

Seeks to be more accessible, affordable

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By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer

The Rock Down Under Climbing Gym, a rock-climbing training facility in central Hailey, has gained nonprofit status as part of an effort to become more accessible and affordable to the public, the organization’s president said Monday.

Bellevue resident Doug Niedrich, president of the gym’s board of directors, said he has relinquished ownership of the gym and established the business as a 501-C3 charitable organization.

Niedrich said the transfer of ownership was facilitated by a contribution received from Sun Valley residents Fred and Jill Vogel, who donated to the Rock Down Under a four-bedroom, 4,000 square-foot house that was formerly located on Fairway Road in Sun Valley.

The house was moved to a site in southern Bellevue where it is being remodeled, and will eventually be rented out and sold to benefit the nonprofit gym, Niedrich said.

"This ultimately will make the gym much more affordable to kids," Niedrich said, noting that the deal will help administrators clear the organization of various debts. "It’s basically a way to keep the gym going."

The gym is located at 42 East Maple St. in Hailey, in the Blaine County Fitness Center.

The establishment of the gym as a 501-C3 will allow gym administrators to raise funds through grants, fund-raising events and donations.

Niedrich said the new organization has developed a new mission to "provide alternative recreational opportunities to the youth of the Wood River Valley."

Gym directors will seek to provide expanded after-school programs to children, and hope to increase the number of scholarships it provides for young students to participate in programs free of charge, Niedrich said.

"The Vogel’s donation ensures that all Wood River Valley children will have an opportunity to participate in alternative recreation such as indoor climbing," Niedrich said. "The climbing gym is a real asset to the community because of the important life lessons that it teaches: leadership, trust, teamwork, physical fitness and communication skills."

After-school programs for youths six and older are held at the gym from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The gym is open to the public for open climbing for people of all ages from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

 

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