Our journey began as a simple idea exchanged between three friends over dinner on a crisp September evening in 2019. Amidst the hustle and bustle of balancing work and life, we commute an hour or more several times a week to our nearest climbing gym. Eventually, we set out to create a climbing gym closer to home and the placeholder name 'Sarasota Climbing Gym' emerged, capturing the essence of our vision.

 

However, our aspirations were momentarily dashed with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, just six months later. Like many, we were forced to pause our plans, and two of the original trio departed from the project. Despite the setback, the dream persisted, and in late 2021, founder Austin Venhaus dusted off the plans and breathed new life into the venture. The project faced numerous obstacles on the path to fruition, particularly in securing the necessary financing, eventually evolving into Sarasota Bouldering Gym; the concept being a bouldering-only facility open to the public and with 24-hour access for members.

 

It wasn't until late 2022 that a glimmer of hope emerged as we secured a source of financing, initiated the design phase for our bouldering walls, and secured a soon-to-be-constructed facility to call home. During this time, Debra Venhaus joined the project as an investor and advisor; an avid climber and Austin's mother, her unwavering support since the inception of the project in 2019 was invaluable. However, our optimism was short-lived, as the other portion of financing fell through in March 2023, halting our progress once again.

 

But every setback is an opportunity for a comeback, and in May 2023, our spirits were lifted with the addition of two new business partners to our team - Aaron and Andrea Rutsky. Andrea discovered her passion for climbing just a few months before joining the project, while Aaron jumped into the sport only a few weeks before. Both were instantly hooked, drawn not only to the physical and mental challenges of climbing but also to the incredible sense of camaraderie that climbers naturally foster. Though our journey has been marked by delays and challenges, our determination remains unwavering. With renewed vigor and fresh perspectives, our vision expanded to include roped climbing, marking a significant evolution for our facility. This transformation brought about numerous enhancements, including expanded climbing areas, a larger fitness zone, enhanced yoga offerings, spacious social working spaces, a rejuvenating sauna, and much more. We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter, offering our community a comprehensive climbing experience that caters to climbers of all levels and interests.

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Today, as we continue to navigate the twists and turns of our entrepreneurial journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a premier climbing destination that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our community. With our sights set on the horizon, we proudly announced the evolution of our project to Project 24 Climbing in late 2023. This name reflected our vision to establish a 24-hour climbing gym opening in 2024. While both the 24-hour and 2024 opening may have changed, our unwavering dedication to providing climbers with access to the adventure and community they love has not. 

 

As we move forward, our passion for climbing and our commitment to excellence drive us. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming space where climbers can push their limits, connect with others, and find joy in the pursuit of adventure. Join us on this exciting journey and see the rest of this story unfold in real-time by following us on social media.