The mobile climbing wall that The Rock 98.5 FM hauls to communities in the area to help promote Yorkton’s Christian radio station and Camp Whitesand made its annual visit to Kamsack on May 10 during the beginning of the spring’s first significant rainfall.
One by one, to a maximum of four at a time, residents put their umbrellas aside, got into their security harnesses, strapped on their helmets, ignored the wall’s wet finger and toeholds and climbed as high as they could along the surfaces of the 32-foot wall.
During the wall’s previous visits, Kamsack Mayor Rod Gardner had opined his desire to climb, and this year, after being challenged by Councillor Joe Kozakewich, he showed the audience what he could do.
But in the end, Kozakewich claimed victory, having scaled up higher than the mayor.
“But it was bittersweet, since I had taken advantage of an older man,” Kozakewich said.
“We were disappointed that no other members of town council were in the audience,” Gardner said, adding that Councillor Sandy Nykolaishen had been slated to climb the wall, but was nowhere to be seen.
“Both Joe and I could have gone higher, but decided that without the participation of other council members, it would not be required,” he said, with tongue firmly planted in cheek. “When we were at the wall we also saw no participants from the Kamsack fire department or the police.”
“We’re left to assume that we’re the only ones who are destined to be better climbers,” Kozakewich added.
“Now that we’re experienced, I expect that we’ll be going on to Austria or Switzerland where climbing is more of a challenge,” Gardner added. “We need something with more difficulty to climb.”
Indeed several, albeit much younger, participants climbed the wall to its summit. Among the climbers to reach the top and push the button to sound the bell proclaiming victory were Tyra Keshane of Keeseekoose First Nation and Khali Cote of Cote First Nation.
Before his turn going up the wall, the mayor spent some time being interviewed by Scott Fitzsimmons, the program director and on-the-road host for The Rock 98.5 FM radio. He talked about the community and its many attributes.
Each Tuesday and Thursday in May and June, members of the staff of The Rock haul the wall lying down on a flatbed trailer to various communities within The Rock’s listening area. They promote the Christian radio station and distribute information on Camp Whitesand, a summer camp for children located north of Theodore about 30 minutes from Yorkton.
“Camp Whitesand (www.campwhitesand.com) is without a doubt, one of the best places on earth that you could go to spend a part of your summer,” said a brochure. “Our beautiful setting makes Camp Whitesand a great place to learn, grow and experience God.”
