Hello all!

Yes, sadly to say, corporate has given us a set of 22 hours per week (if I remember correctly). We have the wall closed on Mondays, Tuesdays-Fridays is open 6p-9p, and Saturdays and Sundays is open 11a-4p. Leaving us at 22 hours per week. Now given this, I have had several complaints about our hours and how they do not fit into some people's schedules. We used to have our hours on the week days from 5-8, but came to find that people were wanting it to be open later so many could climb. So we altered the times. Now, with that last hour, we barely get any people. We had all these requests and no one is really following through.

Also, on the wall being open 24/7 how awesome would that be? That would make me so happy whenever I get a late night craving for climbing and BAM I am halfway up a top rope. Now, with this you have to realize we would have to hire so much more staff, and we just don't have the money to do that. Another thing is it would be in the middle of the night. No matter how much more sleep you got, it would barely be busy most of the time and people have a tendency to fall asleep, plus their judgment and quickness to react could possibly delayed due to being tired. That puts is in a bind as well. I really don't think the wall being open 24/7 would be a very wise idea. Even the most premeir climbing gyms I go to are not even open 24/7.

All in all, what times would be best for ya'll? Like I said before, he did alter our hours later, and no one is really coming and and taking advantage of them like we hoped they would.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Jessica

To my way of thinking, few people (on a "1st shift" work schedule) would ever be using the wall before 5pm weekdays, and usually things are winding down somewhere around 8-9pm. There are times that I and a few others stay past 8pm - usually just the regulars, though. (But aren't the regulars people you would want to cater to, at least with better hours? Frequently, they're the ones that encourage newbies and answer their questions. After all, we're closer than the staff, often.)

And weekends, I would definitely like it if the hours were expanded, at least as early as 10am (not sure how many people would get up early enough and out the door to arrive by 9am or before), and open until at least 6pm (though as late as 9pm would be grand). Weekend schedules are so unpredictable and varied, it helps to have as sizable a window as possible to maintain the need flexibility of when you can get to the gym if what you really want to do is climb.

I also don't understand why there are three staff members as the standard staffing compliment. It really doesn't need to be more than 2, IMO.

(Hmm... Assuming 22 hours is the current corporate max being staffed by 3 people, that means you could have it open for 33 hours if the wall is staffed only by 2 people. That sort of shift would allow 5-9pm M-F and 10am-4:30pm Sa-Su. Now THOSE are nicer hours.)

As far as those people who want it open 24/7, frankly, I still think that's doable. No, not staff that whole time. It would be "open" hours during times similar to what there is now (or, hopefully, slightly expanded). On the other hours, it would only be open to those members who have their own climbing equipment (unless, of course, people want to do some bouldering). I don't see why that sort of arrangement couldn't work. Maybe tweak the waiver that everyone signs? (Heck, get it done quickly enough, and it can be implemented by New Year's, when we have to sign the waiver again.) Make sure that there is a clear sign about the difference in hours? And have the staff alert everyone during the first several weeks of the changeover?

Anything's doable if we set our minds to it.

--Jared

I have been asking for better hours ever since they were changed at the end of summer at my local club (San Antonio @ the Rim).  The current hours are very unfriendly to anyone not on a 1st shift job.  I would be satisfied with just one day during the week with early hours, preferably Wednesdays before noon.