Santa Barbara Rock Gym announced it will permanently close its doors on November 15 due to rising operational costs and a new competing gym.
The gym made its announcement on social media Sunday thanking the community for the support and mourning the closure.
The indoor rock climbing gym opened in 2012 in the downtown area at 322 State Street as Santa Barbara’s first dedicated climbing gym offering daily passes, memberships, classes, and events.
“Keeping this space alive for as long as we did has been a labor of love, but the time has come to close the doors. We’ve fought for years to keep this space affordable and welcoming for all. Unfortunately with rising operation costs, impacts of COVID, and a new competing gym, it became a battle we could no longer sustain,” the gym stated.
The competing gym is likely referring to “The Pad Climbing” that opened in August inside the Magnolia Shopping Center off Hollister Ave in Santa Barbara. This is the third location for the company, which began in San Luis Obispo, that offers its members 24/7 access to the gym.
Santa Barbara Rock Gym stated the years of community, connection, and climbing created heartfelt memories that will not be forgotten.
“To everyone who has been part of this journey, who has climbed here, worked here, or simply believed in what we were trying to do, thank you. You made SBRG what it was; a family, a movement, and a piece of Santa Barbara’s soul,” said owner Will Russ.
The gym has updated their owners from now until the 15th with 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. open for members only and open to the public from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. during the week and on the weekends they’ll be open from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for everyone.
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Open up State St! Cars driving up State would have saved this gym.
Seriously though, what a bummer. Another local business being run out by a chain, albeit a small one. My kids grew up climbing here. The new one doesn’t offer drop in rates, only $$$ monthly membership. I doubt the new gym will last given that and the massive operating costs in a huge building. Oh well, back to the actual rocks!
I will say that while the new one does have drop-in rates, they’re almost twice the price of SBRG’s, plus they nickel and dime you for everything else. I guess that is where everything is headed, though. Losing SBRG is such a bummer. I was hoping it could be worked out somehow.
LOCAL – oh, that’s good that they have a drop in ability. I guess I couldn’t find it on their site. The membership fees and youth camps/classes are pretty spendy. SBRG was really cool. Small, friendly, local and easily accessible without spending too much $$.
Opening State Street to cars wouldn’t have changed this one, as that block’s already open to vehicle traffic. My family actually discovered the gym while biking by, so keeping it bike-friendly really helps local visibility. They will be very missed!
IG – Oh I know, I was just being a little snarky. Another great (and tragic) example of a local business failing downtown even though cars can drive by it.
But yes, they will be missed. My kids had a lot of fun learning to climb there!