By Allison Espiritu

Staff Reporter

Thanking all who helped make what could be North Bend’s next city icon, Mayor Ken Hearing sliced the ribbon Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the new Torguson Park climbing wall.

“It’s going to be an economic engine for the city,” said Hearing, who was accompanied by city and park staff and funding partners at the celebration. “Many people were already climbing it when it was still just dirt.”

Hearing sees the icon to as a big draw for all those visiting North Bend. He was ecstatic on how the wall was promoted and built, and said the city is honored by the project.

The climbing wall was constructed by Rockwerx, Inc., of Massachusetts. The wall stands over 30 feet tall and has been in limited use since the city’s centennial celebration in August. The curbing has been completed and the wall is now open to the public, according to Public Works Director Ron Garrow.

Partial funding of $60,000 was secured through a King County Youth Sports Facility Grant (YSFG) that went towards the project. The city also partnered with the North Bend Parks Foundation along with several anonymous local business owners who provided the community partnership required by the YSFG program.