“The sky’s the limit” when it comes to what the Jasper Climbing Association could do with some spare cash.

“There’s so much to say about what we can improve,” said Greg Raymond, member of the climbing association. The association is hosting a Thai dinner at the beginning of March to raise funds to improve the indoor rock-climbing facility at the Jasper Activity Centre.

The existing wall was installed in 1994 by a group of climbers who raised the money to do so. “Climbers cared enough to do that then and we still care,” he said. “I really think Jasper should have a more modern centre, something you can train on or learn on.”

Though users can purchase a pass to gain access to the wall, it’s located in the multi-purpose hall which gets used for events regularly, so the wall’s availability is restricted. “I think more people would come if it was more user-friendly,” he said. “If you’re 13, you can’t just go outside and go rock-climbing.”

It was recently announced that a grant was approved which will allow the Municipality of Jasper to go ahead with renovations to the Activity Centre. The upgrades include the construction of a new fitness building to where the wall will be moved.

Improvements to the wall are a one-time expense, Raymond said. “It doesn’t cost anything (once the facility is installed) because the maintenance is done by volunteers,” he said. Maintenance includes chores such as cleaning the wall and moving the holds, a 12-hour job that’s completed as often needed.

For Raymond personally, climbing has been a healthy, positive outlet that’s kept him focused and on the right track in life. “If it wasn’t for climbing, I don’t know what I would be doing,” he said.

The dinner will take place at the Jasper Legion two nights in a row, on March 6 and 7. Doors open both nights at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the set menu, and are available at Edge Control, Gravity Gear and Nutter’s.

The food will be prepared by Tania Garby, who was owner of Same Same But Different, a former Thai restaurant in Jasper. Diners will eat to live music by Randall Riddell the night of the 6th, and by the Something About Maries on the 7th.