Climbers Can Rock Out in Schenectady Gym
Published Apr 15, 2006
Electric City Rock Gym has made downtown a destination for rock climbers.
Andy Gilpin, an 11-year rock climbing veteran, has stretched to, climbed up and hung from places he couldn’t have imagined before in the pursuit of his sport.
In 2001, rock climbing gave Gilpin another twist and challenge when a friend suggested he move to Schenectady from Pennsylvania to open and manage a rock climbing gym. In May 2001, Gilpin opened Electric City Rock Gym and turned the city’s downtown into a destination for rock climbing enthusiasts looking to improve skills or just learn the sport.
“It just seemed like an idea that would work in the area,” says Gilpin, and “each year has been getting better.”
Electric City Rock Gym’s success isn’t totally due to Gilpin’s efforts. Much also has to do with the gym’s technical features, including a main climbing wall that is the tallest in the Capital Region. The wall was designed and installed by Entre Prise Climbing Systems and consists of interchangeable panels that are textured to look and feel like a real rock’s surface.
The gym’s bouldering room spans 750 square feet and gives visitors a place to practice technique and strength training on aggressive angles, slopes and corners.
Visitors range in age from 70 to six years old, paying either by the day or opting to become members with full access.
“Someone could walk off the street knowing absolutely nothing about rock climbing and come in and have a good time,” says Gilpin.
Story by Brian Forrester
Photo by Stephen Cherry
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