A new climbing gym is set to open in Federal Way, offering a unique solution to a common complaint: the lack of activities in the area. The gym will feature a 12,000-square-foot bouldering space, complete with two full-sized climbing boards. These boards are designed to be universal, featuring a range of standardized routes that will allow climbers to compete and share tips with others around the world who use the same equipment.
For the founders, the gym represents more than just a place to climb; it’s a tool for fostering connections within the local community and beyond. “This whole project stems from two things: my love of climbing and the community it brought me,” said Seung Park, one of the gym’s founders.
Park, a Federal Way native and graduate of Todd Beamer High School, found his passion for climbing after struggling to connect with other sports. “I didn’t like running, and I lacked the coordination for team sports,” he explained. After discovering a YouTube video about rock climbing, he signed up for a class and quickly found his place in the climbing world.
“I found a sport culture and community that I actually fit in with,” Park shared. “It’s this amazing combination of sport and friendship.” His experience shaped his vision for the new gym, which aims to offer a similar sense of belonging to others in the Federal Way area.
One of Park’s main motivations for opening the gym in Federal Way is the town’s need for more recreational options. “One of the most common complaints I hear is that there’s not much to do here,” he said. He hopes the gym will become a space where people of all ages can challenge themselves, make new friends, and find a supportive community.
The gym’s founders are also committed to making climbing accessible for all. Park recalls his own early struggles with the sport, noting how intimidating it can be for newcomers. “I was really intimidated when I first started,” he said. “I remember just sitting and watching everyone else climb before I finally gave it a try.”
Jodie Nguyen, another member of the founding team, shares a similar sentiment. Although neither she nor her co-founder, Katie Huber, is originally from Federal Way, both are eager to engage with the community.
Nguyen, who has climbed in cities like New York and Austin, believes that having a diverse climbing community makes the sport more accessible to everyone. “The diversity of the community here is something I’m really excited about,” she said.
The gym will not only offer climbing but also provide high-quality fitness equipment and a community space intended for co-working or simply spending time. In addition, the gym plans to offer specialized coaching in both climbing and weightlifting for members.
Construction is already underway, with the climbing walls fully designed and ready for manufacturing. The team has also received its first shipment of climbing holds, and Park has been busy preparing the space for the next phase of build-out.
With its focus on both fitness and community, the climbing gym is poised to become a valuable resource for the Federal Way area and a place where people of all backgrounds can come together.
Related topics:
