Rendezvous Gym Brings Climbing to South KC
Mark and Holly Messner, owners of the newly opened Rendezvous Climbing Gym, are set to welcome climbers of all skill levels after months of anticipation. Based in South Kansas City, the climbing gym is some welcome news for adventure enthusiasts looking for an exciting local climbing experience.
The Grand Opening
After beginning construction last winter, Rendezvous is finally ready to welcome climbers. Located at the former OfficeMax venue in State Line Road, the gym opened its doors on Friday, June 28, showcasing unique climbing challenges for climbing aficionados of all ages and skill levels.
The Mission
“We envision Rendezvous to be a fun place for families, friends, and groups. A great way to keep kids active, especially during the hot summer months,” remarked Mark Messner. Indeed, Rendezvous aims to provide a safe, exciting and family-friendly environment for climbing enthusiasts to enjoy the sport.
Training and Considerations
To ensure safety, all climbers at Rendezvous must first complete training on falling techniques. Emphasizing the importance of correct falling to avoid injuries, Mark Messner described it to look a lot like how professional wrestlers land in a wrestling ring. Each climber will land on a 15-inch thick memory foam pad, even if they descend rapidly from the gym’s walls, which rise up to 16 ft in height.
Building the Climbing Walls
Mark explained that he personally selected 4000 climbing hold pieces, at a cost of about $80,000, to create a variety of challenges across the gym’s 150 different wall routes. The route types do not require ropes or harnesses, making the climbing experience more exciting but also demanding utmost attention to safety precautions.
Operating Hours and Fees
Rendezvous will operate from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on Sundays. Climbing costs start at $65 per visit, with individual and family package memberships starting at $75 per month.
Educational Prospects
With educational backgrounds, the Messners also noted their interest in forming partnerships with surrounding school districts to introduce students to the physical and mental benefits of climbing. This strategy could lead to expanding the sport’s popularity and offering kids rewarding physical activity.
Long-Term Potential
As Kansas City’s newest climbing venue, Rendezvous Gym’s opening demonstrates the potential for climbing sports in the region. The initiative taken by the Messners, with their vision of creating a unique climbing gym in south Kansas City, promises to activate local interest and contribute to the growing momentum of climbing sports.
