The memory of a Williams Lake rock climber is being honoured in the community of Lillooet.
Avid climber Todd Jenkins, 41, had been working in the community’s REC Centre as a lifeguard until his death in March of 2015 when he fell climbing in the Black Velvet Canyon area of Nevada, west of Las Vegas.
Recently, the District of Lillooet’s city council made the decision to dedicate its REC Centre Bouldering Gym to Todd, who was instrumental in its construction.
Todd’s mom, Judy Jenkins, said her son thought there was a lot of potential in the Lillooet area for climbing and is honoured by the gesture.
“He got it into his head he wanted to make a bouldering gym and he worked really hard on it,” Judy said.
“He donated a lot of equipment and materials for it and got it done.”
Todd then began teaching bouldering to anyone interested.
“He was always mentoring somebody about something,” Judy said.
“That was his thing. He would help kids and young adults that wanted to try it to get into it.”
A dedication ceremony is scheduled for a to-be-announced date where a memorial plaque will be placed in Todd’s honour.
Todd grew up in Williams Lake, but also lived in Vancouver and Lillooet with his partner, Anna-Raye, and was often on the road travelling as the front man and vocalist of The Rebel Spell punk band.
He’d been a climber for many years, Judy said, and was admired at the REC Centre.
“It’s a real honour to have it done,” Judy said.
“He and his brother, Cory, did a lot of climbing together and he also did some climbing with his brother, Lee.
“We’re all really, really excited about it and really honoured by it. It’s something that will be there for a long time.”