Tailor Made for Community

Posted on Dec 12, 2017 in Uncategorized

My homework assignment each year is to visit as many new climbing gyms as possible. This year I have visited gyms on both coasts, the gulf, Europe and Iceland. What does climbing have in common everywhere I go? It is a natural for creating community. Think about it, most people climb with a partner or a group of friends, you generally rest between climbs, and unlike a lot of activities you can learn a lot by watching other climbers. One of the most educational visits was an evening I spent in Cliffs of Id on Fairfax Avenue in Culver City. Cliffs of Id is a Touchstone gym, of recent vintage, and although I did not climb on my visit, I enjoyed experiencing the community vibe. Inside the front of the gym, near the entrance, they placed a long wooden table about thirty feet long, flanked on both sides by wooden benches. I am guessing they also provided wireless several people were using laptops at the table. The table faces the front of the bouldering complex and provides a hub for resting, watching, doing homework and talking with friends. One climber related how she did her homework at the table a couple of times a week mixing in bouldering problems when she needed a break. I observed other people spend 45 minutes just sitting at the table talking. By chance I met a USC student several weeks later while he was visiting Denver. I asked him if he was a climber and he responded, I climb every occasionally, but often met his friends at Cliffs of Id even if he didn’t climb.” Several other gyms I visited featured ping pong tables, which always seemed to be busy and yet could be folded up and stored if needed. Another gym offered a co working type space. Not sure if that one will catch on, but there was no question in my mind that gyms that focused on creating community and a good place to hang out are destined to be busy. So…. time and money you spend to make your gym inviting to local customers by creating a space to congregate is well worth your...