CONTACT CLIMBING TO MEET A VAST COMMUNITY NEED

The three‐story, terracotta red, gray, and glass building rising in eastern St. George is Contact Climbing, a climbing mega‐gym. Just as impressive as the large structure is the story behind it. It was only two years ago when the principals of the project first contacted each other, merging years of independent research and a common vision of the same dream.

Jeff and Jenny Compas, who had been climbing for over 13 years, were living and raising their family in northern Utah in 2014. But southern Utah was calling them. Between year‐round climbing, a warmer climate, and relatives in the area, the Compas family was feeling the desire to relocate. Surprised that no one had yet opened a climbing gym in the St. George area, they moved south and started researching the feasibility of creating such a facility.

At the same time, Chris and Jacquelyn Horton were doing similar research. After living in Wyoming, they moved to southern Utah in 2020. With a background in owning and managing businesses that included a yoga studio and various hotels and hospitality businesses, coupled with a lifestyle of climbing, camping, and backpacking, Chris and Jacquelyn had a vision that led them to Vertical Solutions, the nation’s leading climbing gym-building company headquartered in Salt Lake City. The Hortons were told by their Vertical Solutions contact that another couple in southern Utah was looking to build a climbing mega‐gym and might be looking for someone to collaborate on operations.

After several phone conversations, the Compas and Hortons met in 2018, and Contact Climbing was born. Jacquelyn said it was pure serendipity. The experience, research, and vision of the two couples meshed perfectly.

Like most entrepreneurs, the Contact Climbing team will tell you that climbing to the summit of a dream is hard work. Jeff, Jenny, Chris, and Jacquelyn jumped through the hoops, burned the midnight oil, overcame obstacles, and moved toward groundbreaking day. They researched area demographics, how many rainy days per year, the amount of time locals spend outside, and a multitude of other factors. 

“It turns out that after all the analysis, St. George is one of the best places in the country to have a gym like this,” said Jeff.  

The St. George area hit the sweet spot on all the factors, forecasting both a need and a niche. Skills such as being environmentally responsible and physically safe are vital to learn, and life‐threatening mistakes can be made outdoors by those who have not trained indoors. Their research showed that climbing gyms are most successful in climbing areas.

The Contact Climbing team was assisted by the SBDC in St. George, and Jeff Mather, regional director, provided market research and analysis, business plan assistance, and advice on the financial forecasts needed. Each member of the Contact Climbing team said that even more valuable than business counseling was the validation, encouragement, and support the SBDC provided them. 

“The days when we would all wake up and say, ‘The wheels are going to come off of this thing!’ was when the SBDC regional director’s optimism and belief in our vision was critical and pivotal to energize the team for that last push to reach the summit,” said Jeff.

The result of that determination and perseverance is a beautiful, nearly cathedral‐like space of wood, glass, color, and structures. 

“This is a large building, but at the same time it has the soul of your living room – a place where you’ll want to be,” said Jeff. “No matter what your age, fitness level, or interest and experience level in climbing, Contact Climbing will provide a community hub where you will feel like you belong.”

While there are a couple thousand climbers in the area, Jenny said there are between 50,000 to 80,000 active, outdoor‐minded residents looking for something new to discover and experience. 

“It is a stunning space to enjoy the social aspect of it while at the same time doing healthy things with like‐minded people,” she said. 

Chris noted that all four owners are supremely guest focused and have entirely opened up the space and themselves to the community. 

“We are hands‐on owners who have literally invested everything in this space,” said Jacquelyn. “This is going to be our life. And we see it being wildly successful!”Contact Climbing opened in February 2021. It is St George’s first full-service climbing gym, yoga studio and strength and conditioning facility – all within 20,000-square foot, 14-foot tall bouldering walls that include training equipment, yoga, and fitness equipment. In addition, it will be home to a strong community and will create a space for like-minded people to gather and become better at whatever inspires them. For information, visit https://www.contactclimbinggym.com/ or @contactclimbing on Facebook and Instagram.