Does Denver need a new climbing gym?

jon weekley wrote: It's got parking and holds.

Taylor Ogden wrote: I'm picturing a parking lot with a pile of climbing holds in the center.

A gym in the Littleton/Lakewood area would do great business.

jon weekley wrote:Suck it up and go to Thrillseekers. It's got parking and holds. Everything you need for a pump.

Oooh. Condescending assholes...

In Thrillseeker's defense (since I was one of those condescending assholes who worked there for three years), it has what is needed to get a work out; granted it's not as purty as the other gym options in the Front Range. Both before working there and while working there I enjoyed the people who climbed there much more than I have at a places like Movement, where one's ego seems to scream as loud as the the sound of their rope when it's tossed in front of the route you were just about to hop on. Plus, no ridiculous crowds and plenty of climbing space. We also made an effort to be very creative and intentional about our setting, since we didn't have the space that usually lends itself to right, left, right, left hauls with slightly smaller holds as you ascend the grades. It was historically the training ground for more than a few of Colorado's 'elite' climbers as well. If the goal is to get stronger, or stay in shape, and hang out with some cool people, Thrills does the job.

Oh, and the rest of the staff warms up after awhile, assuming you (the collective 'you') aren't acting like an asshole to begin with.

Gabe Anderson wrote:A gym in the Littleton/Lakewood area would do great business.

Man, I have had a draft for an article on this for a while for my website and need to finish it. We definitely need a BIG/tall gym close to downtown. Thrillseekers is too small. Denver Bouldering Club is cool, but it's only bouldering and they don't do day passes. DBC's location definitely is not the "ghetto," and a real gym around there could be a great location--given how close it is to I-25, 6th Ave, downtown, and Golden. Of course, it would be sweet if it were downtown, but let's be realistic about the cost of real estate around warehouses v. the 16th St. Mall.

I just happened to need to be in Centennial on Wednesday so I threw my harness/shoes in my car to head to RJ2. I've got punch cards for RJ, but it's a pain heading to Thornton or Centennial just to do quality (and not tiny) indoor routes--especially right after normal work hours. Given how many climbers are in the Denver area, I see no reason why a centrally located gym couldn't be successful.

I'll try and finish up that article and get you guys a link when it's done.

I agree with all who say, DTD would benefit from a gym. Maybe real estate in 5 points warehouse district wouldn't be too expensive, plenty of tall ceilings and parking is pretty easy. Plus there is a decent amount of re-development in that area.

Dustin Anderson wrote:I agree with all who say, DTD would benefit from a gym. Maybe real estate in 5 points warehouse district wouldn't be too expensive, plenty of tall ceilings and parking is pretty easy. Plus there is a decent amount of re-development in that area.

Yup crackheads everywhere up here! So many I'm going to go for a walk with my dog right now just to ridicule your ignorant and I'll even suggest racist view of where I've elected to live with my family. As for a gym up here? Sure I'd love it but because of the war like crime scene that goes on 24/7 the real estate values are staying strong and commercial buildings are actually getting pricy.

Allen Hill wrote:Yup crackheads everywhere up here! So many I'm going to go for a walk with my dog right now just to ridicule your ignorant and I'll even suggest racist view of where I've elected to live with my family. As for a gym up here? Sure I'd love it but because of the war like crime scene that goes on 24/7 the real estate values are staying strong and commercial buildings are actually getting pricy.

Hey all,

The article is up and can be found here: thegoodlifedenver.com/2011/…

Enjoy!

David

Wehling from Larkspur wrote:
"Castle Rock/Monument area needs a nice one!"

Castle Rock already has one. It's called Castlewood Canyon.

The Good Life Denver wrote:Hey all, The article is up and can be found here: thegoodlifedenver.com/2011/… Enjoy! David

I was starting to investigate the possibility of opening a climbing gym downtown, then I saw this article. If the Movement people already have plans here that would be the best option. They have the experience and connections to build an awesome gym, and I'd bet they can secure a healthy line of financing to do it right. I'd guess that 'doing it right' would cost somewhere between $5 - $8 million, a significant investment, however I think the returns are there.

If they are serious, they should start signaling this intent because this would prevent duplication of efforts.

My only suggestion would be to make the gym TALL - 55 feet should be a minimum. Movement is awesome, but I wish it was taller, had more climbing/bouldering square footage and better parking.

Mesa Rim in San Diego is probably the nicest gym I've been to, in terms of climbing facilities. However, I do prefer the architecture and feel of Movement.

Since they tore down the silos where the Glass House apartments now stand, there are no plausible existing structures anywhere near downtown with enough height for a good gym. Remember that with existing buildings, the floors are part of the structure and you can't just rip them out and leave the shell (without a shitton of retrofit engineering). That said, this means you're looking at a ground-up job. I think $5-8M to start it up is about right. At least $1M for the shell, another $1M to rig it up inside, from there you have fixtures, holds, insurance, a couple months of payroll before opening, utility fees, general operating costs, land acquisition or lease, etc.

If anyone does actually pursue doing this, contact me for a plumbing and mechanical bid.

Would love to see a gym in downtown!