Affordable housing displacing rock climbing gym in Boise

BOISE – A popular rock climbing gym in Boise is closing to make way for affordable housing.

The Idaho Statesman reported Urban Ascent is closing Saturday so that workers can build an apartment complex that will have 134 units for a variety of income levels.

City of Boise spokesman Mike Journee said it’s a rare opportunity for the city to provide affordable housing.

Urban Ascent owner Steve Lampkins has a lease with the city that owns the land the gym is on.

Tom Mannschreck of Thomas Development said he paid Lampkins for the lease, building and improvements Lampkins had made.

Lampkins said he has no plans to reopen Urban Ascent elsewhere. The gym had more than 600 members.