Launching New Phoenix Gym Took a ‘Leap of Faith’

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Gecko Climbing Gym will offer climbing walls and amenities for all ages. (All photos courtesy of Gecko)
Gecko Climbing Gym in Phoenix
Launching the new Phoenix gym “took a leap of faith,” says founder Chris Tansey. Slated to open this spring, Gecko Climbing Gym will offer climbing walls and amenities for all ages. (All photos courtesy of Gecko Climbing Gym)

Gecko Climbing Gym
Phoenix, Arizona

Specs: 11,440-square-foot facility will include roped walls up to 30-feet tall, as well as bouldering walls up to 15-feet, several autobelays, and a Kilter Board. The gym will also feature a climbing wall for kids (with a top-out slide). Additional planned amenities include a yoga and fitness room, a party room, a gear shop, a cafe/snack bar and social spaces. Youth climbing teams, after-school clubs and instructional courses are among the planned offerings.

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Founding the gym was a “long-term goal” for owner Chris Tansey. Tansey originally went to school to be a youth pastor and served in several youth ministry positions for approximately 15 years. Then, in May 2019, Tansey “took a leap of faith” and attended the Climbing Wall Association Summit in Loveland, Colorado—to gather information about opening a climbing gym. Following the industry challenges of COVID-19 shutdowns, the gym is tentatively set to open in the spring of 2021.

The prow at Gecko Climbing Gym
A prominent prow will be one of the several wall design features at Gecko, according to the concept art. Tansey cites continuing the growth of the climbing community in Phoenix as one of the goals in launching the new gym.

Walls: Vertical Solutions
Flooring: Habit
CRM Software: Approach
Website: geckoclimbinggym.com
Instagram: @gecko_climbing_gym

In Their Words: “The climbing community in Phoenix is growing and Gecko Climbing Gym seeks to facilitate that growth, celebrating the sport’s progress and debut in the upcoming Olympics. We believe in the life-changing elements of climbing, where our motto invites you to ‘Elevate your life, rise above your crux and inspire the world to ascend!’”
—Chris Tansey, Founder

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