KEY POINTS
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Plans for a 99,616-square-foot USA Climbing facility in Salt Lake City received city council approval to move forward.
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Challenges with the historic Salt Lake Mattress Co. building have created funding hurdles during the planning process.
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Backed by $15M from Utah, the center is expected to attract 400,000 visitors annually and help revitalize the Rio Grande District.
Plans for a new USA Climbing National Training Center have moved forward with city approval last week. The move sets the stage for an athletic facility construction project intended to be part of the revitalization of Salt Lake City’s Rio Grande District, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
USA Climbing is the organization responsible for overseeing competition climbing in the United States.
Design and Construction Details
The approved designs for the 99,616-square-foot facility reveal a three-story headquarters at 500 West and 300 South.
The development, designed by Salt Lake City-based VCBO Architecture, features an L-shaped structure defined by angular exterior surfaces and metal panels.
The project team faces a challenging timeline, with USA Climbing officials stating their goal is to complete construction in time for athletes to train for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
A rendering of the planned USA Climbing National Training Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Image: USA Climbing, VCBO
The design includes vaulted interior spaces and extensive exterior walls capable of accommodating competition-standard climbing walls. Beyond elite training facilities, the complex will house national administrative offices and a substantial public plaza intended to serve as a community viewing venue.
Complex Construction Challenges
The project faces complex construction challenges in integrating the historic Salt Lake Mattress Co. building. The 119-year-old structure, located on the adjacent 2.16-acre parcel owned by the city’s Community Reinvestment Agency, was initially slated for renovation to house retail and café space connected to the new center.
Structural assessments following the 2020 Magna earthquake revealed significant instability in the historic brick building. While the city’s original financial plan allocated $6 million for rehabilitation, updated assessments indicate that fully adapting and reusing the structure could cost upwards of $7.3 million.
USA Climbing has requested additional funding of $250,000 to $1.3 million to bridge the gap, prompting ongoing discussions with the City Council on the most cost-effective path forward.
Despite these hurdles, city officials view the project as a catalyst for the district. The facility is expected to draw approximately 400,000 visitors annually, hosting large-scale events and competitions.
The planned USA Climbing National Training Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, is shown in a rendering of its interior climbing walls. Image: USA Climbing, VCBO
What’s Next
The Salt Lake City Planning Commission granted unanimous approval of the initial designs, including waivers of building height and setback requirements, effectively clearing the way for the project to proceed to its next phase of development.
USA Climbing is the organization responsible for competition climbing in the U.S. They’re a non-profit that supports climbing disciplines like Bouldering, Lead, and Speed, as well as Collegiate and Para Climbing events.
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