So a rock wall is being put up in Torgusen Park in NB. The city has been talking about it in the local paper since February and it was supposed to have been put up by July.

Well, two weeks ago, they finally broke ground and now there's a monolith up. More steel tubing is on the ground, so I'm hoping there'll be more real estate than what's standing today. It was advertised by the city to be Washington's largest, free, outdoor, rock wall. Also, to mimic the shape of Mt. Si which is in view right behind the wall. I don't see the size or the shape as advertised yet, but here's hoping.

I don't dig fake rock much, but hey, it's in my back yard, so what the heck.

Anyone have any inside scoop about it? Did the project get downsized?

It's probably pretty close to completion either way.

So they put holds on the rock wall today. I do believe I got the first rope on it.

I've added a destination for the rock wall to Mountain Project.
http://www.mountainproject.com/v/washington/torguson_park_ro>>>>>

?!?!? F*ckin Derp! 100G's to build a FAKE rock wall in North Bend?? You can see Little Si in the picture!!! ARrgh!! There are hundreds and hundreds of REAL rock routes within spitting distance of North Bend!

$100,000 could have been a significant downpayment on Index LTW.

Well on a more positive outlook, it's a place for climbing education. A controlled environment where people can learn the "ropes". Heck, take a selfish point of view and think of it as diverting traffic from Little Si and Exit 38. We were all newbies once.

As far as the money, it's a city park. North Bend's funds have nothing to do with the county or state. Index or otherwise is irrelevant. I applaud the city's effort.

I seem to recall there there being a 60k grant from King County? Money not well spent. I can think of way better ways to spend $60,000 of county funds.

If North Bend wants to raise money to build a $1,000,000 dollar climbing wall I wouldn't care....but a grant from the county? That seems absurd given the state of our bleak state and county budgets. Maybe it was issued when we were at a budget surplus, I don't know..

Or at least build a roof over the thing!

Also, Index is in Snohomish County, so they wouldn't be eligible for a King Co. grant anyway. I agree, though, that 60K in this economy could be well spent elsewhere. However, if it gets kids and others outside having fun with climbing in a safe environment, I say it's worth it.

Little Si and 38 are just as safe as a man made clip up wall.

I'm sorry to be so negative about this. Non-profit community organization is a good thing and we need to see more of it in this country and I also applaud their efforts.... They probably would have raised the money even without the grant.

And I know Index is in Sno county. Breaking away from realism, it's just sort of an interesting thought given the danger posed to such a large part of our climbing community in WA state....To build a tiny fake wall when a huge, glorious historical wall is threatened with destruction for a similar price...

I'm just amazed that the grant made it through the King County Council given the cuts that they've made in state services, law enforcement, parks and recreation, and public education.