Locals welcome new climbing gym with open arms…over 450 people through its doors

Locals welcome new climbing gym with open arms…over 450 people through its doors.The new Vital Climbing Gym opened Saturday, July 13, in what used to be the Harley-Davidson shop on N. State Street. Dozens of people were in the gym from the moment it opened until the doors closed in the evening.

With 4,900 square feet of climbing wall, a fitness center, an outdoor barbeque, shoe rentals, an espresso machine and free Wi-Fi, Vital is a gym that was built to foster a community atmosphere, manager Kaili Koo said.

Ian Fisk, a student at Western Washington University and avid climber, said Vital is the best option for him right now.

“I am only taking five credits for the summer so I don’t have access to the [Recreation] Center,” Fisk said. “Buying a membership to Vital is actually cheaper than paying to climb on campus.”

“It’s unlike any other gym in Bellingham when it comes to climbing,” said Ryan Wapnowski, one of the nine members of Vital’s Bellingham staff who will coach the climbing team at Vital.

Vital offers 24/7 access for members and $10 day pass opportunities for people in the community to climb from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Anyone can become a full-time member of the gym for $45 per month.

“Vital was made to be affordable for college students,” Wapnowski said.

Shoe rentals are $2 and coffee or tea is available for $1. Everything in Vital is self-serving and based on the honor system, Vital owner Dave Sacher said.

“We don’t have a front desk because we want people to feel like they can come in and make themselves at home. If you trust people to be honest, they live up to that,” Sacher said.

Baltina Hong came to the grand opening because the gym is close to her home. Hong said she was impressed with the bouldering walls as a great way to get the technique down.

Bouldering is rock climbing without the use of ropes or other equipment.

“It is really awesome that Bellingham now has this gym as a different way to work out,” Hong said. “It’s a good use of the space.”

Casey Bateman, a wall manager with three years of experience setting routes at Western’s gym, said Vital is a place for the climbers in Bellingham to hang out and get to know each other.

“We want Vital to be a place that is for the community, it’s not for profit,” Bateman said. “There’s Wi-Fi and space to do homework when students aren’t on the wall. If you are just beginning or an experienced climber, anyone should feel at home here.”

Sacher found Bellingham while biking from Alaska to Argentina in 2010. Initially from Carlsbad, Calif., where he opened his first climbing gym, Sacher worked with his friend Koo to build the Bellingham Vital.

Koo, who now manages the Bellingham Vital, met Sacher while living in her van and scrubbing holds at the gym in exchange for time to climb. It was her willingness to come on board that allowed the new gym to come to Bellingham at this time, Sacher said.

“When I was biking, I saw a lot of different cities and I can honestly say Bellingham was one that stood out to me,” Sacher said. “It was always in my head to come back.”

After scouting out places, Sacher and Koo chose the location in downtown Bellingham. The gym, with its natural light and lofty ceilings, was built in a 100-year-old brick building at 1421 N. State St. What was once an attic, main floor and basement, is now a single room large enough to hold bouldering walls over 20 feet tall.

Western’s wall at Wade King Student Recreation Center has 3,300 square feet with two 30-foot tall climbing walls and a bouldering wall.

“I am honored for Vital to be the gym that serves the community in Bellingham,” Sacher said. “It is my goal that the gym be for the members and benefit everyone.