Rock Climbing Gym - Community Interest Form

B.L.U.F.: Gauging community interest for a rock climbing gym in the Morehead City - New Bern - Jacksonville area. Results of survey to be delivered to parties of interest, such as Triangle Rock Club, Wilmington Rock Gym, and others. Suggestions welcome.

In the eastern NC area, there is an apparent lack of rock climbing gyms. I know of many people who travel all the way from New Bern to Wilmington just to go to the rock climbing gym there. Other than that, there is a small climbing gym at Camp Lejeune (with varying reports as to the quality) that is only available to those with the ability to get on the base. There is no climbing gym to service the people and families of New Bern, Havelock, Morehead City, Cape Carteret, Swansboro, or Jacksonville, unless they are willing to travel to Wilmington, Raleigh, or Fayetteville. Additionally, Washington and Greenville are very populous areas, including East Carolina University, who would also benefit from a climbing gym nearby that is not exclusive to students.

When I lived in Raleigh, I was a frequent visitor to Triangle Rock Club’s campuses in Raleigh and Durham. It is a great social sport and a great workout. Rock climbing gyms also appear to have popular kid’s programs, such as for school breaks or after-school programs. I believe, between the communities in New Bern, Cherry Point, Morehead City, Lejeune, and New River, a rock climbing gym would be a booming business here. The gyms in the area are always overcrowded with people, so there is already a large fitness community.

There are many empty buildings around the area that would be a good retrofit for a rock climbing gym. Examples include a former Lidl in Havelock on Highway 70 across from Walmart. And a former Kroger (I think) across the street from Publix on S Glenburnie Road. I have not looked much beyond the areas I frequent for abandoned buildings, but I am certain there are more.

Note: this is a personal survey for purely selfish reasons. I want a rock gym so badly that I am willing to go to great lengths to find someone to build one, and I emailed Triangle Rock Club a couple of years back about this topic with no response. Maybe a couple hundred interested people will get their attention. I am not experienced with petitions or surveys or even with making a google form in the first place. I set it up so that it can be anonymous if desired. I really just want enough people to say yes so that my next email to Triangle Rock Club (or similar party) will pack a punch. Wish me luck.