Climbing Aficionados Set Up Base Camp at Clark Sports Center

By SARAH ROBERTSCOOPERSTOWN

The Clark Sports Center has provided a home base for nearly two dozen local climbers—many between the ages of 60 and 70—who want to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

In 2019, three such climbers, Donna Mackie, Jeannine Kazacos and Bonnie Ives, approached sports center staff to request a block of time at the climbing wall for women, separate from the open, family, and children climbing times.

“At first it was a small group of women, including a few cancer survivors, and the group just continued to grow over the years,” said Maureen Newman, group member. “Our climbing group now includes 15 women, and even a few men who have shown a lot of interest have joined us.”