Bend, Oregon — May 2026 — EP Climbing partnered with Planet Rock on a new climbing gym project in Grand Rapids, Michigan, supporting a hybrid construction approach that combined owner-led development with EP’s climbing wall engineering, manufacturing, and installation expertise.
Planet Rock owner Nick Cocciolone, who has previously designed and built climbing facilities, remained closely involved throughout the development of the gym while partnering with EP Climbing on the lead and top-rope wall systems. EP provided the structural design, manufacturing, and installation of the rope climbing terrain, while Cocciolone led construction of the bouldering areas and completed portions of the finishing work on the rope walls, including painting and texturing.
The facility is also planned to include a speed wall and ice climbing wall, expanding the range of climbing terrain within the gym.
Projects like this reflect the flexibility many experienced gym operators are looking for today, combining in-house construction capabilities with specialized climbing wall partners depending on the goals and structure of the facility. EP Climbing works with projects in a variety of capacities, from fully integrated design-build climbing gyms to more focused collaborations on specific terrain systems.
“Nick came into the project with a strong vision for the facility and a clear understanding of how he wanted the build process to work,” said Bryce Benge, EP Climbing USA President. “Our role was to support that process with the engineering, wall systems, and installation expertise needed for the rope terrain while keeping the project collaborative from start to finish.”
View the full Planet Rock Grand Rapids project spotlight, including project statistics, terrain details, and facility features, at EP Climbing Project Spotlight: Planet Rock Grand Rapids.
EP Climbing works with climbing gyms, universities, recreation centers, camps, and competition facilities worldwide, providing climbing wall design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, inspections, and modernization services.
For more information, visit www.epclimbing.com
CBJ press releases are written by the sponsor and do not represent the views of the Climbing Business Journal editorial team.
