There's got to be something that can be done about this. VE is hands down the worst franchise for climbing gyms. I started climbing in San Diego at Mesa Rim back in 2016. I've traveled to a bunch of places and there are no worse gyms than VE. I was exclusively a sport climber until I moved to Minneapolis and have been a member at MBP for the most part. I was gifted one of those shirts (not going to say which brand), that say "Bouldering is dumb." and I actually wore it at MBP, while meeting Kevin Jorgeson. Needless to say, I am not a boulderer.
Twin Cities residents watch BP open another gym in St Paul, with success. I just caught wind on LinkedIn that the Sender One franchise in LA/Orange County is expanding to seven gyms and hiring a bunch. Meanwhile VE shits the bed. They're over here union busting and letting their facilities rot. Rumor has it, they allowed ICE to stage in one of their parking lots during the siege. So, on top of being a shitty gym, they're just shitty in general.
I get LA/OC is a different market, but Sender One is not the only ropes franchise in that area. VE has a monopoly over the Twin Cities with ropes and it's bullshit. We can do something about it.
I might be a dreamer, but fuck it. I know a great spot right next to the Mississippi. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1900-1924-Marshall-St-NE-Minneapolis-MN/38816607/
Putting this out in the universe. A new ropes gym built right there, in the Arts district. It's more than a possibility. Not only would this be amazing, it would help put VE away.