kilter ad

Minnesota Gym Closes After 20 Years

Prairie Walls Video Tour

Since 1998 Prairie Walls Climbing Gym has offered state of the art indoor rock climbing, inspiring and fostering a love of climbing in people of all ages and abilities.

Posted by Prairie Walls Climbing Gym on Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Minnesota’s second oldest climbing gym closes its door for the finial time this month. Prairie Walls, located in Rochester (pop: 114,000 and 1 1/2 hours south of Minneapolis) told its members that last month that the facility will be closing July 1.

First opened by Dave Brandt in 1998, the 10,000 square foot space was the second gym to open in the state. Brandt sold the business, though stayed on as an employee in 2015 to Jay Maier. In 2015 Mair told the Post Bulletin, “Dave has built a great thing at Prairie Walls, but it has only just begun. While Dave will manage the business day-to-day, I will challenge the status quo and be involved with the strategic planning, financial management, business processes and marketing from behind the scenes,” said Maier.

Also in 2015 in Rochester, Roca Climbing and Fitness opened a modern climbing facility with 15,000 square feet of climbing surface.

The exact reason for Prairie Walls closing is still unknown.

Climbing Business Journal

Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!