Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. agreed to commit C$10,000 in a joint effort with Mountain Equipment Co-op to help preserve Skaha Bluffs near Penticton, British Columbia. Skaha is not only a rare desert eco-system but also one of Canadas premiere climbing destinations.
“Skaha has justifiably become an iconic crag in the North American climbing landscape and Black Diamond is excited to partner with MEC and The Land Conservancy of British Columbia to help provide permanent public access to this area,” states Peter Metcalf CEO, Black Diamond. Metcalf continues, “The active leadership role that MEC is taking to preserve Skaha Bluffs is an honorable one that deserves immediate attention to preserve this land for all future public access.”
“Skaha Bluffs is a jewel of Canadian ecology and a place of important recreational value. It epitomizes what MEC stands for,” said MEC CEO Peter Robinson. MEC has led the charge with a $250,000 grant to ensure permanent public access to all recreational users. In addition to the land acquisition grant, MEC has also initiated a donation program among its members that will match individual donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000.
“This joint effort is indicative of the resolve both MEC and Black Diamond have in terms of the activities we support,” Metcalf continues. “It is an example of an extraordinary business relationship that is bridging beyond providing innovative products to consumers and working to forever preserve valuable access to a unique recreational ecological area.”
MECs grant and Black Diamonds donation will go to purchasing a piece of privately held land, sub-lot 18, which will provide a new permanent point of access to Skaha Bluffs. The deal must be completed by June 30, 2007 or sub-lot 18 could be sold to another party for development purposes and access would likely be lost.
