Zenith Climbing Center to open next month

After eight months of renovation, construction and a few changes in design, the owners of Zenith Climbing Center LLC have scheduled an April 2 grand opening for the indoor climbing gym at 3534 E. Sunshine St.

Audrey Pauls, who co-owns Zenith with husband Everett and sister and brother-in-law Jamie and Tony Kalil, said the owners hope to hold a soft opening for friends and family in the coming weeks in advance of the public launch.

“Once we get our certificate of occupancy, we’re ready to be open any time,” Audrey Pauls said, noting the property will receive its final inspection Tuesday.

The Pauls previously worked at the now-defunct Big Rock Climbing Gym in Springfield.

Audrey Pauls said the company’s original opening date – targeted for the winter season – was set back by the addition of drywall to cover an obsolete cooling unit in the building.

“Adding that wasn’t part of the plan,” Pauls said of the extra construction, which necessitated changes to the climbing wall by designer and manufacturer Sofia, Bulgaria-based Walltopia. “That took three months for them to redesign it and re-engineer it.”

Pauls said the 12,800-square-foot building is leased for about $9,000 per month from Fuldner Properties LLC and estimated total startup costs at around $700,000. Butler, Rosenbury & Partners Inc. were the project architects and Butler Built LLC is the general contractor.

In addition to 9,000 square feet of climbing and bouldering space, Zenith will feature a gym area and yoga studio. Memberships start at $50 per month for unlimited climbing and access to the gym. The same membership including access to yoga classes is $90.

Zenith has three part-time and five full-time employees, including the Pauls. Audrey Pauls said the company plans to hire additional part-time employees following the gym’s grand opening.