The state of Washington is hot right now! Compared to any other state in the US, the Evergreen state is experiencing a mini gym rush. Five gyms are planned or in the works, making climbing gym operators of Washington the busiest in the country. These entrepreneurs are even beating out other historically active states like New York, Colorado and even California.
Central
Most of the development is taking place on the western side of the Cascades except for the folks behind Riverfront Rock Gym, in Wenatchee, WA, which lies on the eastern front near the bouldering paradise of Leavenworth.
Central Washington has several colleges and universities that have rec center climbing walls. But what makes Riverfront unique is that it is the only commercial climbing facility in the vast, nearly 300 mile-wide section of the state that lies between Spokane on the east and Seattle on the west.
Wenatchee has a relatively small population of 32,701, but is the second largest city in central-northern Washington (the largest, Yakima, has about 93,000).
The Riverfront developers are taking an old barn and turning it into a 10,000 square foot climbing facility with 10,000 square feet of climbing surface. Read more about it on CBJ.
The North
The latest gym to announce is Cascade Climbing Center in Bellingham, WA. This new ground-up 15,000 square foot commercial climbing gym will feature 20,000 square feet of climbing surface. Owner Jon Cohn tells CBJ the gym will also have, “Separate spaces for bouldering, kids programs, and top-rope climbing, as well as a national-class lead wall and competition bouldering wall, both facing a full-length mezzanine, allowing a great layout for competitions. Additionally, the facility will have a full 15 meter speed wall, and full training area, including a system wall, hangboards, campus boards, weights, and aerobic machines.”
Cascade Climbing Center is planning for a 2017 opening. Bellingham, population 83,000, is home to 15,000 students at Western Washington University. The city is currently served by only one climbing facility: Vital Bouldering gym.
Just down the Interstate from Bellingham is the small town of Burlington, WA where Riverstone Climbing Gym will soon be located. According to their website, the gym will feature 5,000 square feet of Walltopia built climbing surface. This may seem small but it could be the perfect size for the 8,400 people living in the town.
Seattle Metro
Long-time gym operator, Vertical World is bringing some changes to their operations north of Seattle. In Everett, Vertical World declined to renew a lease on their downtown facility allowing a new operator to take over the space, including the existing climbing walls. Re-named Summit Everett, the new owners will re-open the gym after a much needed modernization and remodeling.
CBJ reported late last year, “While not massive, Summit Everett will feature 9,600 square feet of bouldering and top-rope climbing surface with modernized wall designs, brand new Cascade Specialty flooring, color-coordinated routes, a fitness center and a cafe at the front of the gym to enhance the neighborhood feel of the place.”
However, Vertical World still believes the area is a great market for a climbing gym and is opening a 20,000 ground-up building in Lynnwood, 20 minutes south of Everett and 28 minutes from their Seattle facility.
The South
Rounding out the Washington gym spree is the Purdy Fun Climbing center in Lacey, WA near the State capital, Olympia. Last summer CBJ wrote about the new gym and the collaboration that is making it possible.
This new partnership will bring the area’s original climbing gym, the Warehouse Rock Gym into the modern era. With new ownership and an influx of cash, a new ground-up purpose-built climbing facility will be a great resource for climbers of the area.
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!
