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CBAviator
Jul 12, 2008, 5:37 PM
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I currently live in Vail, Colorado but may eventually move back to the Wooster, Ohio area. First off, if my moving decision were purely based off the amount of climbing, I would not be moving! Anyway, I am curious on the feasibility of building a rock gym in central Ohio (Wooster area). It seems like it is something that may be welcomed but I am looking for others' opinions, as well. Please comment! Thanks, in advance!
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angry
Jul 12, 2008, 5:50 PM
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Have you crunched the numbers yet? I considered opening one and did the math and it simply was beyond the type of loan my credit could get for a business. Look at the building (35ft ceiling was my requirement), 10 year lease, the welding of the framework and certification, insurance, rental gear, holds, plywood, and power needs. It adds up. I based my numbers assuming that I alone would be working 100hrs a week until the place took hold. You can go cheap with low ceilings and homemade woodie, but that isn't a business model design, it's more of a co-op. I know that we're not supposed to be about money but if I sank my life into a business, I'd damn sure want to build one that's profitable.
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CBAviator
Jul 12, 2008, 5:55 PM
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I've begun to crunch the numbers and realize that it isn't going to be pocket change to build one. I, too, want to build one right the first time. I don't have unlimited cash, that's for sure. However, if it's something that people feel would pull a lot of interest, then I'd continue to do some more research for a rock gym in Ohio. I'd like about a 40ft. wall so I'd be looking at about a 45 ft ceiling. It wouldn't be made of plywood, rather, metal framing. I'm not interested in a retail side so that would help trim some cost. Additional comments are welcomed, please!!!
(This post was edited by CBAviator on Jul 12, 2008, 5:56 PM)
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acorneau
Jul 12, 2008, 11:44 PM
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I don't know anything about Wooster, but just looking at a map makes it look like a small town. Part of your number-crunching should try to figure out if that location could support the number of climbers you would need to make it work. Just something to think about
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dicktracy
Jul 12, 2008, 11:47 PM
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If anybody in the history of rockclimbing.com has ever built a gym after posting on this website about building a gym, I'd be very impressed. Anybody who has ever done this, let's hear about it. I'd like to know.
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CBAviator
Jul 13, 2008, 12:28 AM
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I'm not sure if you're trying to be sarcastic or helpful (I thinking sarcastic). However, I am only using this website as one of MANY resources right now. I'm trying to pull opinions and research from a number of different places---including a rock gym consulting company. Yeah, Wooster is a smaller town, however, I'm looking just in the general area (central Ohio) and not specifically the town itself.
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colatownkid
Jul 13, 2008, 12:35 AM
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CBAviator wrote: I'm not sure if you're trying to be sarcastic or helpful (I thinking sarcastic). However, I am only using this website as one of MANY resources right now. dicktracy isn't being sarcastic so much as honest. this website gets "i wanna build a gym" posts with a fair amount of frequency and the general consensus following the life of a thread is usually that it's not worth it, poorly planned, unrealistic, etc. consequently, anyone who has actually managed to pull it off would be a great source of information.
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hhelbein
Jul 13, 2008, 2:01 AM
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I wouldn't ignore the retail side. I would bet that a good part of the income from the local gyms here comes from selling shoes, harnesses, and even drinks and Clif bars. That doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of selection and variety of items. It may not seem cool now, but don't ignore the birthday party and scout avenue. I bet after you open, nothing would be happier than seeing a group 15 paying customers (even at a discount) come in at once.
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acorneau
Jul 13, 2008, 2:33 AM
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CBAviator wrote: Yeah, Wooster is a smaller town, however, I'm looking just in the general area (central Ohio) and not specifically the town itself. I got a chance to climb at Cleveland Rock Gym a few years ago, pretty cool. This may be obvious, but just in case you haven't checked it: http://www.indoorclimbing.com/map.html?Ohio Also, there are a few gym builders at http://www.RouteSetter.com. Good luck with your research!
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CBAviator
Jul 13, 2008, 5:19 AM
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acorneau wrote: CBAviator wrote: Yeah, Wooster is a smaller town, however, I'm looking just in the general area (central Ohio) and not specifically the town itself. I got a chance to climb at Cleveland Rock Gym a few years ago, pretty cool. This may be obvious, but just in case you haven't checked it: http://www.indoorclimbing.com/map.html?Ohio Also, there are a few gym builders at http://www.RouteSetter.com. Good luck with your research! Thanks for the links! I was actually curious if there was a gym in Mansfield, Ohio but I didn't see one listed on the map. Of course, I'm sure it's not an all-inclusive database but it's a thought. I'm thinking I would likely have more success the further east or southeast I go as I approach heavier climbing areas.
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matterunomama
Jul 13, 2008, 5:58 PM
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colatownkid wrote: CBAviator wrote: I'm not sure if you're trying to be sarcastic or helpful (I thinking sarcastic). However, I am only using this website as one of MANY resources right now. dicktracy isn't being sarcastic so much as honest. this website gets "i wanna build a gym" posts with a fair amount of frequency and the general consensus following the life of a thread is usually that it's not worth it, poorly planned, unrealistic, etc. consequently, anyone who has actually managed to pull it off would be a great source of information. Several people have pulled it off-but their first feelers were not posting on rc.com. That is indeed a poor way to analyze if its worth it, how to plan it, etc. Often the posters get an answer that is "Do a business and marketing analysis/get a business plan/talk to some current owners/know where you can get the money"--and then they say they can't commit any money, they can't afford to purchase a business plan and they have never analyzed the market or talked to an owner. One person even had a blog with a button to 'contribute' to her gym startup fund. Its a business-you need to treat it like one if you mean to open a commercial gym.
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dynosore
Jul 13, 2008, 7:38 PM
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Wooster has a population of about 25000 according to wiki. The town I'm in here in Michigan is twice that size, and we have 2 other cities nearby for a total population of 150 thousand or so. Our gym is the only one in the "tri cities", and it barely squeaks by, actually I'd guess they lose money and are subsidized by the community center they are part of. 25000 in a midwestern town won't cut it....better off to have a small co-op or get the local college involved somehow. Good luck!
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rtwilli4
Jul 13, 2008, 9:09 PM
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i h ave some friends from wooster who went to school in athens and I was really surprised at how much of a climbing community there is in athens. I'm not sue how many gyms are there but maybe its a cool place to start one up? any chance you know the Vagnini's from Wooster. I think they have condo's in Breck also, if you ever make it there.
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CBAviator
Jul 14, 2008, 12:19 AM
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rtwilli4 wrote: i h ave some friends from wooster who went to school in athens and I was really surprised at how much of a climbing community there is in athens. I'm not sue how many gyms are there but maybe its a cool place to start one up? any chance you know the Vagnini's from Wooster. I think they have condo's in Breck also, if you ever make it there. There IS a chance! I'm friends with Ali Vagnini.
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rtwilli4
Jul 14, 2008, 1:40 AM
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CBAviator wrote: rtwilli4 wrote: i h ave some friends from wooster who went to school in athens and I was really surprised at how much of a climbing community there is in athens. I'm not sue how many gyms are there but maybe its a cool place to start one up? any chance you know the Vagnini's from Wooster. I think they have condo's in Breck also, if you ever make it there. There IS a chance! I'm friends with Ali Vagnini. no way! I did a lot of climbing (and partying) with her in Thailand this past year. I love that girl to death. She's in Denver now.. apparently climbing her butt off. When I get some time I'll post some good pictures of us climbing a tower on Koh Phi Phi. Got some good pictures even though we had quite the hangover.
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CBAviator
Jul 14, 2008, 6:21 AM
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matterunomama wrote: colatownkid wrote: CBAviator wrote: I'm not sure if you're trying to be sarcastic or helpful (I thinking sarcastic). However, I am only using this website as one of MANY resources right now. dicktracy isn't being sarcastic so much as honest. this website gets "i wanna build a gym" posts with a fair amount of frequency and the general consensus following the life of a thread is usually that it's not worth it, poorly planned, unrealistic, etc. consequently, anyone who has actually managed to pull it off would be a great source of information. Several people have pulled it off-but their first feelers were not posting on rc.com. That is indeed a poor way to analyze if its worth it, how to plan it, etc. Often the posters get an answer that is "Do a business and marketing analysis/get a business plan/talk to some current owners/know where you can get the money"--and then they say they can't commit any money, they can't afford to purchase a business plan and they have never analyzed the market or talked to an owner. One person even had a blog with a button to 'contribute' to her gym startup fund. Its a business-you need to treat it like one if you mean to open a commercial gym. Yeah rc.com is definitely not a first-feeler for me. I'm working with a rock gym consultant right now to develop a business plan and do some demographic research. There are multiple gyms in Ohio, some of which do well and some that really do not. Although I would likely be living in the Wooster area, I'm leaving all of central/northern Ohio open for research of a gym. My idea was just to get some opinions from others in the area to see what their thoughts of a rock gym in their area would be...
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compostpile
Jul 15, 2008, 2:59 AM
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A new gym in the Akron area would be great.
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stonefoxgirl
Jul 31, 2008, 6:18 PM
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Personally - save your money and build your own kick ass home gym. From Wooster your closest non-university gym is 36 miles away.
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GeneralZon
Jul 31, 2008, 7:24 PM
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They guy who built the rock gym by me did a great job. Found an industrial park that was not fully occupied and built the gym. I can only imagine how much money is invested in the gym. Check out Comp Wall. They were the company that built the wall structures.
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j_ung
Jul 31, 2008, 8:34 PM
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dicktracy wrote: If anybody in the history of rockclimbing.com has ever built a gym after posting on this website about building a gym, I'd be very impressed. Anybody who has ever done this, let's hear about it. I'd like to know. Lambone
(This post was edited by j_ung on Jul 31, 2008, 8:37 PM)
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camhead
Jul 31, 2008, 9:22 PM
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CBAviator, I don't know much about Wooster, however. Is it a college town? Given the location, how many climbers do you think you could attract who would use it for training in the week, in between their weekend trips to the Red or the New? How many suburban moms are there who would bring birthday party groups in for the big $$$? Anyway, I'm living Columbus right now, which in my opinion is relatively undersaturated with climbing gyms. It has the university wall, which is mediocre for training, and one small gym, which has good angles, but not the best routes, holds, or quantity. There would definitely be a market for a premier gym here.
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heyhi86
May 6, 2011, 4:18 PM
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slackercruster
May 7, 2011, 12:35 AM
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Can you guys that looked into building your gym give some $$ figures as to what it would cost to build?
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