Porn Theater Becomes Toronto’s Newest Climbing Gym
This fall, the iconic Metro Theatre at 677 Bloor Street W will be transformed into Basecamp Climbing, Toronto’s newest climbing gym.
The iconic Metro Theatre will soon become Basecamp Climbing.
With a height of almost 40-feet, the gym will feature lead climbing, top-rope routes and bouldering. Perhaps most interesting for many Toronto climbers, is the fact that Basecamp is approximately a three minute walk from Christie subway station. This makes it the only gym that’s accessible from the subway line. This is a compelling feature, as all other Toronto gyms require more complicated transit/driving access. The gym will further leverage its unique downtown location by providing ample bike parking.
Basecamp Climbing is a just a three minute walk from Christie subway station.
With a height of almost 40-feet, the gym will feature lead climbing, top-rope routes and bouldering. Perhaps most interesting for many Toronto climbers, is the fact that Basecamp is approximately a three minute walk from Christie subway station. This makes it the only gym that’s accessible from the subway line. This is a compelling feature, as all other Toronto gyms require more complicated transit/driving access. The gym will further leverage its unique downtown location by providing ample bike parking.
The gym’s owner, Matthew Languay wants to create space that has a community feel and serves the needs of a broad range of climbers.
“I think there’s a large number of climbers that live in the neighbourhood and would appreciate a gym that’s easily accessible by foot, bike or transit. Driving to many of the existing gyms is just not viable for many folks who live in the city core,” says Languay.
The gym’s owner, Matthew Languay wants to create space that has a community feel and serves the needs of a broad range of climbers.
“I think there’s a large number of climbers that live in the neighbourhood and would appreciate a gym that’s easily accessible by foot, bike or transit. Driving to many of the existing gyms is just not viable for many folks who live in the city core,” says Languay.
The dramatic prow feature at Basecamp Climbing.
As with most modern gyms, Basecamp Climbing will be designed and built by an outside company (Walltopia) specializing in this construction.
While the gym will have complete facilities during its opening this fall, there are plans to expand the gym to include a modern training centre and lounge area.
While the gym will have complete facilities during its opening this fall, there are plans to expand the gym to include a modern training centre and lounge area.
A view of some of the wall surfaces at the new Basecamp Climbing gym.
Finally, Languay plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to help preserve the theatre’s unique marquee. He wants to eventually use the marquee to promote climbing events while paying homage to the location’s unique history.
Languay believes that, “Toronto has done a relatively poor job of preserving much of its past. Just because a neighbourhood is changing and evolving, doesn’t mean that we have to forget how it got here. This theater represents a special piece of Toronto’s history and that’s why I want to preserve the marquee.”
You can contribute to Kickstarter campaign and visit Basecamp Climbing’s website for more details.
Languay believes that, “Toronto has done a relatively poor job of preserving much of its past. Just because a neighbourhood is changing and evolving, doesn’t mean that we have to forget how it got here. This theater represents a special piece of Toronto’s history and that’s why I want to preserve the marquee.”
You can contribute to Kickstarter campaign and visit Basecamp Climbing’s website for more details.
