THUNDER BAY, ON – The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is investigating a Thunder Bay climbing gym after a child was injured in a fall on July 26, 2024.
The Ministry was notified on August 2, 2024, about health and safety concerns at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre. In a statement on Monday, the Ministry confirmed that an investigator has been assigned, and the investigation is ongoing.
This investigation follows an incident in which eight-year-old Natalia Letinen was hospitalized after a fall during a summer camp at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre. Since then, several others have come forward, alleging this is not the first incident of its kind at the facility.
According to the Ministry, a total of five incidents have been reported at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre since it opened in 2016.
Over this period, the Ministry has issued 10 orders to the gym, addressing various health and safety concerns.
Previous Investigations and Safety Orders
In addition to the current investigation, the Ministry of Labour has conducted four previous investigations at Boulder Bear in response to reported complaints and concerns.
- June 2017: The Ministry investigated a harassment complaint, resulting in orders for Boulder Bear to prepare and review health, safety, and harassment policies, and to maintain a written harassment policy.
- June 2019: A follow-up investigation addressed health and safety concerns, leading to orders for proper storage of flammable liquids, removal of items from around electrical panels, keeping floors free of debris, and inspecting the physical condition of the workplace. One order emphasized that the employer must “take every precaution to protect workers.”
The gym complied with all the orders issued during these investigations.
Two additional investigations were conducted, but no orders were issued.
Boulder Bear Defends Its Safety Record
Boulder Bear Climbing Centre, through its lawyer, declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. However, following the July 26 incident, the gym posted a statement on Facebook defending its safety practices.
The statement claimed that Boulder Bear has an “impeccable” safety record and employs safety measures not commonly found in other climbing gyms. The gym’s Facebook page was no longer accessible as of August 6.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The climbing gym is also reportedly facing multiple lawsuits related to injuries sustained at the facility.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.