Owners want to create a space where climbers of all experience can thrive
Gravity Lab’s Charlie Malone, while fellow employee Autumn Larsch tried out one of the routes set out at Gravity Lab, a new climbing gym in the Grandview area on the north side of US Highway 160. , to set the route. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Gravity Lab owners Sebastiaan Zuidweg and Laura Chase have always been avid rock climbers. In fact, the couple were rock climbing partners before becoming spouses.
It’s no surprise that the duo would take the chance to open Durango’s state-of-the-art rock climbing gym.
“We quickly found a niche we needed to fill with vacancies and communities,” says Zuidweg.
Durango has not had a rock climbing gym since the Rock Lounge closed in 2021 after operating for 11 years. Zuidweg was surprised that there weren’t more rock climbing facilities in the area because the community loves outdoor recreation. He said the closest rock climbing gyms to Durango are in Grand Junction or Albuquerque.
“Small mountain towns like Durango usually have climbing gyms, so for us it was definitely a slam dunk,” says Zuidweg.
Located at 732 County Road 233, north of US Highway 160 between Three Springs Boulevard and Elmore’s Corner.
Equipment includes multiple training boards such as a quilter board and a spray wall, as well as yoga equipment, cardio equipment, and a weight rack.
The gym allows for different styles of climbing, including bouldering, top-rope climbing, and lead climbing.
A big part of Gravity Lab’s mission is community inclusivity. Zuidweg wants Gravity Lab to be a place where everyone can exercise and climb.
Gravity Lab co-owner Sebastian Zuidweg (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald) inside the new rock climbing gym in the Grandview area, north of U.S. Highway 160.
“Climbing is a fun way to exercise in a different way than going to the gym or walking on a Stairmaster,” he said.
Zuidweg and Chase moved from Crested Butte to Durango four years ago. Chase works as a nurse anesthesiologist and Zidweg is the clinical director of Open Sky Wilderness Therapy.
They felt opening a gym was the perfect way to show their love of the outdoors and help people.To start a business, the couple liquidated two properties they owned in Crested Butte. but the rest was history.
Zuidweg plans to build another facility next to the current facility to add other climbing options. He wants the roof to be higher so more advanced climbers have more space for lead climbing.
Gravity Lab is set to open near the end of November, but has already received interest from other Durango organizations and others looking to collaborate with Jim.
“All high schools and middle schools have already contacted us about incorporating physical education programs from here,” said Zuidweg. “Hive and other programs have reached out.”
Gravity Lab, a new rock climbing center, is located at 732 County Road 233, north of US Highway 160 between Three Springs Boulevard and Elmore’s Corner. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
He also says he wants to work with the Adaptive Sports Association to create a more inclusive climbing community.
The gym’s grand opening will be on Monday. Zuidweg said he doesn’t want to limit his customers to long-term members and offers many different short-term options.
The Gravity Lab offers an adult day pass of $20, a minor’s day pass of $16, and a college student’s day pass of $16.
At the new rock climbing gym on County Routes 233-732 on the north side of U.S. Route 160 between Three Springs Boulevard and Elmore’s Corner, Gravity Lab employees select the wall handles. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Gravity Lab’s Brayden Russ climbs at the new rock climbing gym in the Grandview area. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
A climbing wall on the second floor of the Gravity Lab climbing gym. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The gym also offers a 10-day pass for $180 for those who want to visit multiple times but don’t use the gym enough to get a monthly membership.
A standard adult monthly membership is $79/month and a minor monthly membership is $74/month.
Zuidweg said:
tbrown@durango.com
