By the end of the year, Detroit could have its first climbing gym.
DYNO Climbing and Fitness is underway in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market district, the first and only gym of its kind in the city.
Although there are other climbing gyms near Detroit — including Planet Rock Climbing Gym in Madison Heights — this one is paving the way for Detroit proper with a “spacious, bright and inspiring” new facility.
Dino Ruggeri, the founder of DYNO Climbing and Fitness, lived in Colorado for several years and wanted to bring a piece of it home to Detroit.
Opening a climbing gym serves as a way to "enjoy the outdoors, indoors, year-round."
"It struck me as the perfect idea," Ruggeri explained, because climbing is fun, active and social. He added, "it’s a really cool mental piece too, because it’s problem-solving."
DYNO Climbing and Fitness aims to "provide equitable climbing access for everyone," Ruggeri said. That includes all ages and skill levels. "We can meet everybody where they’re at...That’s one of the coolest things about it."
DYNO will have a one-hour beginner course, as well as 12- to 45-foot “expertly designed” courses that cater to everyone from beginners to experienced climbers. There will also be a fitness area, yoga classes and a lounge.
"We’re really trying to make it a place for not just exercising, but socializing," Ruggeri said.
Ruggeri explained that courses will change, so climbers can frequently try new challenges. Every few weeks, staff will remove the grips for cleaning and route setters will place them in new formations, color-coded to indicate the route and labeled with the intended difficulty.
DYNO Climbing and Fitness will open with more than 17,000 square feet of climbing terrain, more than 75 rope routes and more than 120 boulder problems, designed by Jason Kehl and built by Walltopia, according to the upcoming gym.
The hope is that climbers will be able to catch the “bug” at the 18,400-square-foot gym this winter, pending any COVID-19-related setbacks.
Depending on the state's status with COVID-19, Ruggeri plans to open DYNO Climbing and Fitness in late November, adhering to protocols to keep staff and guests safe.
Future climbers can stay up to date on DYNO's Facebook and Instagram pages @DYNODetroit, or on its website, where they can sign up for email updates.
Photos: Owen Kaufman