Tuesday, June 29, 2010

We're Hiring (again)!

We're growing, and a few positions have opened up at the gym. We're looking for Climbing Instructor(s) who can also work the front desk, and Belay Staff to work the ropes for parties and other events. Details here.

Canada Day at Downsview Park

Every year on Canada Day, Downsview Park pulls out the stops for a big birthday celebration. This year is no different, with lots of fun (and free) activities for all, including a lot of family-focused stuff, including:
  • free amusement rides
  • a petting zoo
  • music all day
  • performances by our friends & neighbours at the Toronto School of Circus Arts
  • fireworks at dusk (around 10pm)
More details available here.

We will be open holiday hours on Thursday: 10am - 10pm. We will also be offering one free climb to all new visitors to the gym, so if you have friends who might want to try climbing and are not sure how to get started, this is a great opportunity to try it out with no big commitment!

And after the Canada Day celebration is done, Downsview Park will be starting its summer Movies Under The Stars series, with outdoor movies running every Friday night in July and August. Here's the full programme.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Our G20: 20 Great Reasons to Join Us This Weekend

Downtown Toronto is expected to be difficult to get around this weekend, with the G20 in town. Here is our own version of the G20: 20 Great reasons to come to True North Climbing:
  1. No traffic disruptions are expected in our part of town
  2. There is plenty of free parking
  3. The air conditioning will keep things comfortable
  4. No politicians are expected to attend
  5. We have replaced the 2" slackline with a clean piece of webbing!
  6. As always, there are lots of great new routes and boulder problems that our team of routesetters have put up this week.
  7. There is still almost a week left in our Summer Membership Special deal (3 month pre-paid membership for $150; $120 for those who qualify for the discount rate: students, seniors, police, fire fighters, paramedics, bouldering-only)
  8. Still no HST on a day pass!
  9. All your friends are coming. Don't have any friends? Come by and make a few new ones!
  10. Coca Cola finally made their delivery; our drink coolers are full of cold refreshing drinks again!
  11. There will be some additional activity on the airstrip next to our building. While no VIPs are expected to fly in or out, the military will be bringing in some CF18 Hornet fighter jets. The landlord has apologized for the noise that they will make. We think that's pretty cool.
  12. And speaking of loud rumblings, if there is another earthquake, don't you want to be standing on a padded floor?
  13. The merchant's market at 40 Carl Hall Rd will be open Saturday and Sunday. Check out the food court at the south end for some good eats.
  14. By Saturday morning the railroad crossing at Carl Hall Rd (just before you turn right to get to our place) will be redone, so most of those bumps should be smoothed out.
  15. After the week you have had, don't you need to work out a little stress?
  16. Our friendly staff (Natalie, Stephen, Clint, Jamie, Jonny, Shaun, DK, Kyle, Mike, Martin, Jackie, Roman, Ryan and Gerald this weekend) will be there!
  17. The chimney.
  18. The slab.
  19. The cracks.
  20. It's climbing; who needs another reason?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Some Little Upgrades

Just a quick post to let everyone know about a few little things we've done this week to improve things:
  • We have rearranged the foam in the custom modular padding in the advanced bouldering area (red nylon covers). These pads contain 3 layers of foam: 2 1" layers of closed cell foam and 10" of open cell foam. The design of the padding is to have the open cell sandwiched between the two layers of closed cell, and then after a year or so (when things have gotten pretty soft), bring the bottom layer of closed cell to the top to extend the life some more. When these pads arrived we found them to be stiffer than expected, and so initially put both layers of closed cell at the bottom. After a few months we decided that they had softened up enough to go back to the original plan. Clint and Dustin had fun yesterday opening these big pads up and rearranging the foam. So you'll find that area a little firmer than it was last week.
  • More T-nuts! Since 25,000 T-nuts obviously isn't enough, we spent some time drilling and screwing today, and have added another hundred or so to the Slight Overhang area of the top-out wall. We'll continue to add more T-nuts each week as we reset this wall, to provide more options for putting up holds.
Neither of these are a big deal, but sometimes the little things count too!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Gonna be a Cool Summer!

It seems appropriate, with our air conditioning units being installed today, to kick off the summer season with some cool new offers:

3 month Summer Membership Deal:

During the month of June only, you can get a 3-month prepaid membership for only $150. This is $30 off our usual monthly prepaid rate over the 3 month period. The corresponding discount price (for students, seniors, etc) is $120, also a $30 savings. Price does not include GST/HST, and these memberships cannot be frozen.

Weekend Scramble Sessions for Kids:
On Saturdays and Sundays starting at 11am, you can drop off your kids (completed Minor Waiver Form in hand if they have not been here before!) for 2 hours of climbing, ending at 1pm. We'll provide the staff to belay them in groups of 4 or less, as well as a harness and climbing shoes if desired (subject to availability of the small sizes!). Call ahead to book this session to guarantee a place for your children. The cost of each Scramble Session is $30/child plus GST/HST.

Summer Camp Programme:
OK, this one is not new, but we want to remind everyone of our day camp programme running throughout the summer. Monday to Friday from 8:30 - 4:30 (with optional extended drop-off/pick-up hours available), we'll keep your kids busy with climbing, slacklining, sports, arts & crafts and other diversions. Full details available in the Summer Camp flyer.