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Carlo890
Aug 22, 2012, 3:18 PM
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acorneau
Aug 22, 2012, 3:53 PM
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Carlo890 wrote: Hey my name is Carlo Cherisier and I plan on setting up an indoor rock climbing gym in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. I have found a facility roughly 25K square feet with a ceiling height of approximately 30 feet. I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on this topic or advice o share. Do you think the building is too big? Too low? Any features I should add in my gym that people like? Any aspects that I should avoid, or things that people hate about climbing gyms? Any obstacles you think I might run into? I have been told time and time again, how expensive this project is going to be and reasons I should perhaps settle and start off smaller. I am aware of how expensive climbing gyms are, but it clearly has stopped any other gyms from being built, so why should I allow the cost to stop me from pursuing this. I do not want to go after a smaller gym facility because what I am trying to create is a spot where members of climbing community can meet up, climb, chill, and have fun. I know this is an ambitious project, and if going to be very hard. I believe that I am ready to do whatever it takes to make this happen. I also know that I can't do this without any help. So any thoughts you might have to offer I would appreciate greatly and might make the world. Also feel free to email me at Carlo890@gmail.com, if that is easier. Thank you for your time and take care.
A few resources for you...
https://www.climbingwallindustry.org/
http://www.routesetter.com/forum/
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Carlo890
Aug 23, 2012, 2:42 AM
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Hey Acorneau,
Thank you for those sites. I have actually looked at each before, but clearly I wasn't reading closely enough because I found more information this time around. So thank you for that and for reminding me to look closer at the resources I already have.
-Sincerely,
Carlo C
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guangzhou
Aug 23, 2012, 3:44 AM
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Shoot me an email and I'll answer what I can.
Eman
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Carlo890
Aug 25, 2012, 11:59 AM
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Hey Eman will do!
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Khoi
Aug 26, 2012, 5:47 AM
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It having a ceiling height of only about 30 feet makes me inclined to suggest making it a bouldering gym.
(This post was edited by Khoi on Aug 28, 2012, 4:46 AM)
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polo26
Aug 27, 2012, 9:29 PM
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It makes sense. Pls shoot me an e-mail and I will be happy to help.
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jnm1
Aug 28, 2012, 12:03 AM
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I think a climbing gym in SFV would be very successful. I had to cancel my Rockreation membership because I moved to the valley and the drive was too much. I'm sure there are others out there.
Personally, I'd like to see a gym that also concentrated on fitness, i.e. yoga, weights, cross fit, spinning etc. I'd hate to have two gym memberships.
I always though Movement in Boulder looked pretty nice. A clean well lighted place.
http://movementboulder.com
Also, I remember seeing somewhere that Planet Granite was interested in selling franchises. Worth looking into.
http://www.planetgranite.com/
Would be nice if it wasn't just a bouldering gym. Too limiting. Rockreation in WLA doesn't seem like it's much more than 30' high.
If I had any money, I'd be an investor. Best of luck to you. Count me as a customer when you open.
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rschap
Aug 28, 2012, 4:09 AM
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My gym is 28ft and it's fine for roped climbing. Sure I would rather have taller but I wouldn't go any higher than 35ft if I built a new gym.
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guangzhou
Aug 28, 2012, 9:46 AM
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35 to 50 feet is a good height for sure.
At 30 ft, I would definitely roped climbing. Bigger market for sure. Plenty of people won't want to boulder 30ft.
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Carlo890
Aug 28, 2012, 4:16 PM
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Thanks for the feedback every one,
I was planning on creating more of a fitness center from all the feedback I have been getting. That way you could have everything you wanted in one place, saving you time and money.
I looked into Planet Granite and Mesa Rim and they have that kind of set up I'm looking to aim towards.
Regardless of height, I plan on having rope climbs. 30ft might be a little short and I will see if it's possible to raise the roof on the building, but incase I can't I believe people will still enjoy the climbs as long as the routes are challenging and interesting enough.
I definitely appreciate the link for Movement. I will add it to my list of gyms, so that I will have a better concept of design and creative ideas I could imply in my gym.
I know a gym in the valley would be successful, all I have to do is to prove to investors or anyone else willing to fund and help me out that it would. I have all the resources to do accomplish this, so it's just a matter of time and dedication.
I really am thankful for the support and advice I have been getting, because it's certainly not easy starting this project. I know in the end though, it will be worth it.
Sincerely,
-Carlo C
(This post was edited by Carlo890 on Aug 28, 2012, 5:41 PM)
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guangzhou
Aug 29, 2012, 12:37 AM
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If you can't raise the roof, consider lowering the floor. (Not joking) Actually, it may even be worth considering if you can raise the roof, lowering the floor could be cheaper in some cases.
If you go with Fitness/climbing, no need to lower the whole floow.
Eman
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dief
Aug 30, 2012, 4:35 AM
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Hey Carlo 30ft is a great height. I own/built Phoenix Rock. I'd be happy answer your questions. Send me an email with your phone number.
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guangzhou
Aug 30, 2012, 6:05 AM
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20 years, congrats.
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Carlo890
Sep 1, 2012, 3:34 PM
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Hey acorneau,
Thanks for the heads up. From what it seems, the StrongHold is going to be roughly the size I am planning on. So it will be interesting to see how they set up their facility. And even though they are going to be competition, they are also going to be helping out by informing the area of the existence of rock climbing gyms, the benefits of going to one, along with easing the idea of them into people's minds.
Even though rock climbing is getting more and more popular, there still are people who don't know about indoor climbing gyms and who are afraid of heights. Having another gym in the area will help strengthen the desire for people to have one locally, help show that there is a need for climbing gyms in the Los Angeles area and potentially lower people's fear of them. So overall this is great news!
(This post was edited by Carlo890 on Sep 1, 2012, 7:14 PM)
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TheStronghold
Sep 1, 2012, 11:21 PM
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Great to hear you say that, Carlo. We agree completely. In econo-speak we'd say that each of us will be creating market for the other.
And Los Angeles needs climbing gyms. The Valley needs climbing gyms. Let's get the kids out of the malls and into something healthy.
Cheers, and best of luck.
-Peter Steadman
The Stronghold
http://www.strongholdclimb.com
(This post was edited by TheStronghold on Sep 1, 2012, 11:23 PM)
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Carlo890
Sep 17, 2012, 12:34 AM
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Hey I know I've said this before, but I just wanted to say thank you again for all those who have contacted me, offering me their help and sharing their thoughts. I know this an extremely hard task to accomplish and with how mentally draining it has been thus far, it is nice to get all the support and help you guys have shown. So thank you and I will try my hardest not to let such efforts go wasted or forgotten.
-Sincerely,
Carlo Cherisier
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RunRocket
Oct 7, 2012, 12:32 AM
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I own/built District24 in San Antonio. My bouldering gym area is 30'x20'. My place is a place to climb, chill, and sometimes party. It is a lot of fun being part of the awesome climbing community in this town. My ceilings are 20'. We lead the ceiling parts and boulder the rest. you can check out pictures and video on facebook. Find it under district24 there.
Starting small has it's benefits, especially if you are not a pro at opening climbing gyms. Opening big will put you/your investors at greater risk. That being said if you are comfortable with a big project then good luck.
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