It looks as if another business, launched with support of the Startup Lakewood program, is getting off the ground.
You could say it’s climbing some obstacles to get there.
Entrepreneurs are looking to build the West Side’s “premier rock climbing facility” in a venture called Lakewood Rock Gym.
Kevin Phipps and Jim Ceccatti, the entrepreneurs behind the concept, recently pitched their idea to a panel of judges for the Startup Lakewood Ideation Challenge.
The venture didn’t win the top prize, but the concept is still moving forward.
Phipps and Ceccatti are hosting a focus group at the University of Akron Lakewood from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Dec. 11 to further explore the idea.
“It’s open to anyone who would like to see a rock climbing facility here in Lakewood,” said Phipps.
The city of Lakewood has taken notice.
“(Lakewood Rock Gym) received high marks as a viable business model for Lakewood,” said Bryce Sylvester, from the city’s department of planning and development, in a statement.
“We are holding the focus group to find out from climbers and climbing advocates what they would want in a rock gym, and to better understand the market in and around Lakewood.”
jay mursch
12:15 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
My wife and 10 yr old son recently visited Kendall Cliffs in peninsula and loved it. It's great exercise and our son LOVED it. Great place to treat cabin fever. We'd go for sure.
Susan Kaminski
1:04 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
I hope they can move into one of the empty buildings already available. Otherwise, there are several empty lots.
Add Laser Tag to the facility and it'll have dual entertainment, wider audiences.
K M Smith
1:18 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
YES! I work on the west side and the closest gym is too far away for me to get to regularly (even though it is awesome). Totally without knowledge of this, I was just telling a friend that we really need a climbing gym on the west side.
M-F Schreiber
4:21 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
A big thumbs up! I think if you polled Lakewood City School kids you would find that many would welcome such a concept. I think the Fridrich building that is for sale would be a good location for it. It's two floors. Put Rock Climbing wall in the center. Include racquetball courts and indoor basketball and maybe an indoor running track. The ideas are endless...
Mir-ka
8:40 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Add regular fitness opportunities that go hand in hand with climbing like yoga and core classes and the audience draw gets larger. Great idea!
Sam g
12:23 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012
Yes please open a better gym than Cleveland rock gym! Auto belay devices would be a plus, also a big bouldering area and crossfit style fitness classes. See movement rock gym in boulder Colorado for a good example!
Jenny
8:13 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
I really wish I had seen this sooner and could have been a part of the focus group :( A climbing gym (+ yoga:) would be an amazing addition to Lakewood!!! I have no doubt it would do well, especially considering the distance to the closest gym. A huge bouldering area with a cave is a must!!!
Jaro Z.
9:45 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
To Sam G: auto belay devices?! I hope you are joking! Have you ever climbed?