About

Pillars

Community: The Cooperative is a watering hole to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and gather for community events. Community is the foundation of the Cooperative, and we'll do anything and everything for it. The spirit of community will be strong within the space, but it will also reverberate to our local crags through dynamic and regional partnerships to bring forth the history of climbing in the Mountain Washington Valley.

Learning: The Cooperative will be a space to learn about both the physical, mental, and technical aspects of climbing. It will be utilized by friends, youth, and families as a place to learn about the sport and all the recreational opportunities the Mount Washington Valley has to offer. We will have a resource library, training and learning clinics, and a local youth team that trains, grows, and climbs together.

Inclusion: In addition to the Cooperative being physically accessible to all, the Cooperative will be a safe and welcoming space. Through our community, we will foster an environment welcoming to all regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, and ability. We will actively seek out opportunities to lift marginalized and underrepresented voices to a place higher than our own. We will partner with and support organizations representing those voices to continue to work to make our space and the Mount Washington Valley a welcoming place for all.

Movement: Winters in the Mount Washington Valley are long and summers are wet. The Cooperative will be a one-of-a-kind facility where community members can gather indoors when they can’t get outside. They can maintain their physical health with the fun and challenge of bouldering in a friendly, community-centric setting.

Breaking down Barriers: Climbing has profound barriers to entry. We aim to break down those barriers through free gear rental, discounted family days, and educational and mentorship opportunities. We want this sport to be more equitable, both inside and outside of the Cooperative.

The Vision

What is a Co-Op?

Cooperatives are businesses owned by their consumers and managed democratically, with the sole purpose of providing a service to their membership. For our purposes, the co-op format means that our climbing center can be more affordable and more in our small community than a large commercial gym. Members will have a stake in the direction and decisions of the Cooperative at annual meetings, they will also share the responsibility of cleanliness, safety, and function of the facility!