Climbing gym on way to being a reality in South Lake Tahoe

The future of the Blue Granite Climbing Gym in South Lake Tahoe was made much clearer Thursday during the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission meeting.

The five commissioners approved the project and suggested the owners of the property be given the extra needed Commercial Floor Area (CFA) at little or no cost. The applicants needed an extra 4,873 sq ft of coverage from the City's pool of CFA which would leave about 10,000 sq ft in their "bank." That request will go to the SLT City Council for approval on December 6.

Previous applicants have paid $50 per sq ft when buying extra coverage from the City's pool of CFA.

The commissioners said the scenic corridor into South Lake Tahoe will benefit from the addition of Blue Granite, especially since the area's focus is on recreation.

Commissioner Craig Woodward commended the owners of the gym. "Young entrepreneurs coming into our town are desperately needed," he said.

"This is just the thing the area needs," said local Harry Siegal during the public comment period.

His sentiments were echoed by everyone else who spoke. The new climbing gym will be the first building many see as they enter South Lake Tahoe as well as being the first property on the Southern boundary the Tahoe Valley Area Plan.

"I am so ecstatic to see the Tahoe Valley Area Plan move forward," said Jenna Palacio of the Tahoe Regional Young Professionals.

Also voicing their approval of the project were Dr. Jamie Orr of Tahoe Mountain Lab, Larry Sabo of Sierra Sotheby's and a former gym owner, and planner Nick Exline.

"This is the exact type of project envisioned for the Tahoe Valley Area Plan," said Exline. "This is the right plan to use CFA for from a community stand point."

The two story Blue Granite Climbing gym will be two-stories, have 245 linear feet of climbing wall, a world class training facility and patio area. It is located on the spot where 21-unit Tahoe Budget Inn was once located. That aging property was torn down for the use of its tourist accommodation units on a previous project.

The owners are now able to move forward with their final plans and get them drawn up. The owners of the property are Brad and Ginna Leavers, the architects for the project are Brooke and Brian Martone. The Martones said after the meeting that they hope to start work on the climbing gym in May.