More climbers speak out about Thunder Bay climbing gym after family goes public about accident

As a Thunder Bay climbing gym faces scrutiny after an 8-year-old was hospitalized, others have come forward to say this isn't the first accident at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre. 

CBC News has learned of at least one active civil case against the company filed before Alexa Letinen said her daughter, Natalia, fell at a Boulder Bear Climbing Centre summer camp on July 26 and has spoken with another climber who was concerned about how staff addressed an injury she sustained at the gym. 

Rowan Adderley-Day alleges he was left with a lifelong impairment after getting injured at Boulder Bear in April 2023. He said his right foot landed on the edge of the mat when dismounting from the bouldering wall and hit the floor. 

Adderly-Day has filed a statement of claim in the Ontario Superior Civil Court alleging Boulder Bear was negligent, and failed to ensure the climbing area, flooring area and safety equipment were safe for all users.

Court documents obtained by CBC News indicate that Boulder Bear has obtained lawyers and intends to defend itself in the case. As of Aug. 6, Boulder Bear had not yet filed a statement of defence. None of the allegations have been tested in court. 

"I completely shattered my tallus. My fibula shot out of my foot. It was a compound fracture," said Adderley-Day. 

A staff member called EMS and Adderley-Day had emergency surgery at the hospital.

Adderley-Day said he has lasting chronic pain as a result of the injury. He said the surgeon told him he will likely never walk properly again. He said he can't run, but can manage to do "sort of a gallop," and walk with a significant limp.  

Adderley-Day, who is a resource technician for Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, said his mobility challenges limited his ability to do his job. After a season of deskwork, he's slowly returning to working in the bush, but it's slower and more painful than before the injury.

"I'm always outside. So to have that portion of your life flash before your eyes… it was devastating."

Andrea Jacobsen, who describes herself as an experienced climber, said she had a similar accident at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre in August 2021. 

"My foot went in between where the mats were. I landed with all of my weight on my left ankle that was sent the wrong way and so I broke the base off of my fibula," she said.

Jacobsen described the injury as a fluke and said she doesn't blame the gym for the injury – her concern was with how the staff member at the gym responded. She said she had to walk the staff member through how to handle the situation while struggling with pain.  

Jacobsen said she had to call the staff member over to help her hobble to her car, then felt like she was going into shock and could lose consciousness.

"This poor kid, he just didn't know what to do.So I looked at him and I went, 'I need you to call 911, I'm going into shock'," she said. "He was obviously panicking and trying to do his best." 

Jacobsen said she tried to help the staff member stay calm while trying to call EMS. 

"What should have happened was somebody who has first aid steps onto the scene...  and goes through the procedures where they are the ones making sure you are okay, figuring out that we are going to need to call emergency services, knowing how to do that and knowing the address and not having to be led by the person who is in so much pain they are fighting to remain conscious," said Jacobsen. 

After hearing others speak out about injuries at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre, Cindy Long said she went to the gym on Aug. 2 to ask about safety measures before her five-year-old granddaughter attends a summer camp there later in August. 

Long said she asked whether someone checks if the children attending camps are securely attached while climbing. 

"They got pretty upset that I had asked that," said Long.  

Long said she was expecting to be reassured about Boulder Bear's safety measures, or be told that policies had been strengthened in response to the incident– but said she didn't hear that in her interaction with the staff. 

She tried to request a refund or partial refund but was not successful, and says a staff member threatened to call the police.

"I wasn't worried about the police showing up. I'm a 61-year old grandmother standing at their counter asking some questions because I'm concerned about my granddaughter's safety at their facility." 

CBC News contacted Boulder Bear Climbing Centre and the owner for comment on the initial story about the July 2024 incident, and then again on Aug. 6 for a response to the allegations detailed in this article. 

Reached by phone, owner Dallas Markall declined both interview requests, but the gym posted a statement on Facebook after the incident on July 26 defending its record.

"To suggest that anyone within the facility wouldn't do their absolute best to care for any injured person let alone a child is inaccurate and insulting to all those present, not just the owner. Everyone working that day is fully trained in first [aid] and did their very best. As a note the child walked out of the facility with her mother," said the gym in a statement posted on its Facebook page. The page was no longer accessible as of Aug. 6. 

On its website, Boulder Bear said it employs Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) certified instructors. 

"Boulder Bear staff and owner take the safety of ALL patrons seriously. Boulder Bear has an [impeccable] safety record and has a number of safety measures that you won't find in the majority of climbing gyms," the statement said.