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rocknraceboxer3
Nov 5, 2013, 7:32 PM
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Anybody know how I can either get someone to build a rock climbing gym in Butte, MT or how I can get one started myself?
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marc801
Nov 5, 2013, 8:08 PM
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rocknraceboxer3 wrote: Anybody know how I can either get someone to build a rock climbing gym in Butte, MT or how I can get one started myself? That's an amazingly broad question. Suggest you start with learning what it takes to open a business - any business - then apply that specifically to a climbing gym. You might have some success if you can get a school or fitness gym to build one. Even if you go that route, you're going to have to show them some pretty solid financial projections and why it's beneficial to them. Some of the commercial climbing wall vendors offer pretty extensive start-up consulting services - Enterprises is one - at a reasonable cost ($2500 maybe? I really don't recall). In any case, you're going to have a ton of homework to do.
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rocknraceboxer3
Nov 5, 2013, 8:17 PM
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I contacted REI to see if they would set up in our town and consider a rock climbing gym, but since they are a co-op, they only open less than 10 stores a year based on need...and Butte doesn't fall in the high priority list yet. I used to work for the local YMCA and they considered it, but their financial situation is screwed, so if it is going to happen, it is way too far down the road. I contacted a local construction contracting company that bought the old YMCA building and tried to work with them on including a rock climbing gym since they were keeping the facility as a fitness center. They said that liability insurance for it was too much. I have experience in business startup and management, but I also have a career and two young children. No time to really commit without a lot of help, but I think I'm going to go crazy without rock climbing in my life! A huge factor in deciding where I wanted to live was whether or not there was a rock climbing gym in town, but unfortunately, the jobs and cost of living in the two towns we considered that did have rock climbing gyms were not suitable. So here I am stuck halfway in between those two towns, in a community that could thrive on both indoor and outdoor rock climbing, but the community is too lazy to build a suitable rock climbing gym. Ugh! Thank you for your answer...and I welcome more.
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climber511
Nov 7, 2013, 6:07 PM
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I serve on the village council where I live - a town of 2500 people tops. I approached the village about building a climbing wall in our multi purpose recreation center. We applied for and received what at that time was called a "Wellness" Grant. Over the years we managed a couple more grants to fund additions. You can go to Facebook and search Crooksville Recreation Center for some pictures. The insurance is handled through the villages general liability insurance - premiums were (and are) quite low as the ins co said walls were quite low risk. The village engineer worked from my drawings for plans - did the design work for free - and it was built my we local climbers - and of course inspected afterwards. We have had very good support from business's over the years for new ropes, harnesses etc. If the city has a suitable building - you might approach them about this. Do your homework ahead of time of course. In our case the wall is run by volunteers (me and a couple friends) and is only open one evening a week. (Multi purpose building). Let me know if I can help in any way please.
(This post was edited by climber511 on Nov 7, 2013, 7:08 PM)
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amarius
Nov 7, 2013, 7:05 PM
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I noticed there is Montana Tech campus in your town. Perhaps approaching them with a proposal to add climbing wall to their rec facilities might be a worthwhile endeavor? Since they are likely to have structural engineering students, you could co-opt them into designing your walls.
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shimanilami
Nov 7, 2013, 10:24 PM
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I am helping to get a non-profit organization off the ground, Achieva Climbing. One of our goals is to apply physical education grants to build climbing walls in underserved communities. Although our focus is public schools and parks, we may be able to help you. Send me a PM or contact us through http://www.achievaclimbing.com/
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rocknraceboxer3
Nov 8, 2013, 3:04 PM
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Thank you so much for all your great ideas and help! I will be in touch with Montana Tech, the city, and Achieva to try and get started! Keep it coming!
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