Gym Renovation Wrap-Up & 24 HHH Training Night

Yes, I know it took me a couple of days to finally post again about the ongoing gym renovations. We opened to great fanfare on Saturday morning and stayed open late that evening (until midnight) for a special event.

Friday was a day of constant movement, a day of construction, a day of final touches and things left undone. A day with not enough time. And a day of thousand-yard stares, the result of exhaustion.

We manged to put the pieces of the office together enough to be able to open on time. Still, there are a few things that needed to be patched up - but all that will happen in due time. For the time being we're just enjoying the bulk of the work that has been finished and reflecting on the fruits of our labor. Though not too much time to reflect as there is till another milestone to meet - namely - opening the slab room to climbing!

Before I go on I need to thank everyone that has dedicated their time to helping us. First and foremost is Erik Schultz who has demonstrated tireless efforts to seeing that the front desk was finished just in time. Also, a big thanks to Jason Beam for the electrical work - and seeing that we had new lights in time. Thanks to the staff of Rocktown that showed up (some more than others) to do the dirty work of clean-up. During this week we saw a fair share of blood and sweat - and Sherwin may have cried once - so I can say tears.

We've received wonderful feedback on the flooring and I hope the appreciative comments continue. Last November when we took over the gym our goal was to bring the gym to the next level - I think that we have done just that. And we will continue to improve the gym as long as we have the support from climbers and the community.

Pics of the front office and construction

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On Saturday we held a special climbing event for participants of the upcoming 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell climbing competition (coming up Sept 27, 28 in Arkansas). We were open from 8 pm to midnight and turned off all the lights. Climbers scaled the walls by headlamp. We had music playing and a climbing slideshow in one of the rooms.

It was a really fun night so I'm sure we'll do something like it again. Pics from the event are, for the most part, blurry but they have kind of a cool ghostly look to them so you should check them out.

Renovation Update (I've lost track) - Is it Thursday?

Man. This was just one of those days. I guess stuff is getting done but it's really coming down to the wire. One day left to get the rest done. That's hurting my head.

We worked all day in the front office. Things look so different I hardly recognize the place. Already, I can't remember what it looked like before.

Nothing else to say. We've got one day left and we're going to hit it hard tomorrow to get the place finished and cleaned up.

I may or may not post an update on Friday - depends on how late I work - in that case, I'll see you guys on Saturday. Or maybe I'll just sleep in.

Gym Renovation Update #4 - Wednesday

We are making progress in the office and if all goes as scheduled we should have an entirely new look come this Saturday. I hate to give too much away on the design but decided to share this picture just to give you an idea of where we are headed.

There's still quite a bit to do but each day we get a little closer. We spent today tearing out drywall, filling the big dumpster, and recovering the walls with new material.

For the few that are working with us and had an inside peak of the gym the response has been complete surprise bordering on disbelief that it is even the same place. The new flooring has changed completely changed the look and feel of the gym. But I'll stop going on about the floor...

Tomorrow we'll continue the work in the office - new lighting, a new desk, and new paint on the walls.

Once the floors in the new group area and slab room cure we'll be in there drilling holes to set routes. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we are going to be delayed in opening the rooms next week because we have some more work to do and we are awaiting the holds and some other items.

Also wanted to remind people that on Saturday, Sept 6 we are holding a 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell Training night from 8 pm to 12 am. This event is $5 and for entries in the 24HHH participants and members of Rocktown. remember to bring a headlamp because several of the rooms will be dark to mimic night climbing (not that it won't be night anyway). If you haven't climbed in the dark it is quite an experience.

We will be open to the public for our regular hours on Saturday, Sept 6 from 10 am to 8 pm.

Added some new photos from today's work.

Gym Renovation Update #3 - Tuesday

So far so good. The rest of the flooring was installed today in the new group area and slab room. And we got to walk on the finished surface in the office a little. I can't wait to hear the feedback we get from those of you that have been climbing at the gym for years. Seriously, it could be dangerous while belaying because you're going to be so fascinated with the floor - just staring at it - that you might have trouble paying attention to the climber you're belaying.

Now we are moving the focus to getting the office completed. We've got only a few days to get it done.

Things are going to be a little behind on the slab room as we are waiting on a key component to making it climbable - HOLDS. Plus there is a little more work to be done on the remaining walls - need to drill a bunch of holes and set some belay anchors. So the slab room won't be open by this Saturday - we should have it open in about 2 weeks.

No new pictures today but I'll have some more tomorrow.

Gym Renovation Update #2 - Monday Report

Today was another awesome day of progression. The top layer of the new floor and we got the first look at at what the "new" Rocktown Climbing Gym is going to be. We haven't had a chance to walk on the floor with the final layer installed - it takes about 48 hours for it to cure. But believe me when I say that we are itching to try it out!

You guys are going to be so impressed.

Meanwhile, we are doing some serious housecleaning. You wouldn;t believe the amount of crap that has accumulated in various locations at the gym. We've completely cleaned out both the storage silo and the top house (that structure that sits on top of the silos). We had quite an interesting time today throwing stuff off the top of the silos. It's pretty crazy to see a 70 lb, 10 foot by 12 inch piece of pipe going hurtling off the top of the 90 foot silos and stab into the ground! We sent sheets of scrap metal flying through the air like kites. Of course, when all was done we had to clean up the mess below.

Still on the agenda for the rest of the week is to continue the clean-up, finish out construction in the office, and change up the holds in the bouldering room.

New pics are posted on the photos page.