An abandoned Sports Authority store located in Englewood, Colorado, is about to become the world’s largest indoor climbing gym. The 52,000-square foot commercial space has been empty since the retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2016 but a company called Earth Treks purchased the property for a reported $15.7 million and announced plans to renovate it, creating a potential mecca for indoor climbers in the process.
The new Colorado facility will join existing Earth Trek gyms in Maryland and Virginia, the largest of which already spreads out over more than 45,000 square feet. But the newest addition to the family will offer a host of amenities designed to lure in members, including world-class rope and bouldering terrain, along with massive climbing walls built by Walltopia, a company that specializes in creating custom terrain for use in climbing gyms.
In addition to it numerous and varied climbing walls, the Englewood gym will also include a cardio fitness and training area, a dedicated yoga studio, and areas specifically designated for climbing classes. The facility will also feature a high-end locker room, a retail gear shop, and even on-site child care. Since this is a former Sports Authority store, there is ample parking right outside, as well as easy access by both bike or light rail. The gym is also centrally located to local restaurants and breweries as well.
The design for the new gym is expected to be finalized within the next few weeks and construction is set to begin sometime in August. Earth Treks has not announced an opening day just yet, though the company has said that the Englewood facility will open in 2018. There is a lot of work to be done between now and then of course, including raising the roof on the former retail space to accommodate the taller climbing walls. But once it does open its doors, there won’t be another climbing gym like it anywhere on the planet.
