New Gym Owner Brings Love Of Rock Climbing To Tulsa

A new state-of-the-art climbing gym is being built in Tulsa.

Jason Burks, 33, is an avid climber and has been for years.

"I see these great gyms and I'm like, 'Man, I wish Tulsa had this," Burks said.

Ten months after buying New Heights Gym in Tulsa, that wish is becoming a reality.

"You don't take this place over to keep it what it is - you take it over to make it bigger and better," Burks said. 

10/27/2016 Related Story: New Rock Climbing Gym Making Its Way To Tulsa

The 17,000-square-foot Climb Tulsa Gym will be built near 31st and Yale and will be large enough to house tournaments through USA Climbing.

After all, this will be a new Olympic sport in 2020. 

Tulsa might have a future Olympian on its hands already.

"The thing I really appreciate about climbing is it is just as physically dependent as mentally dependent. You have to be strong in your mind and strong in your body too," 8th grader Caleb McCollough said. 

McCollough first tried out climbing at summer camp and now he can't get enough.

"One thing I really like to do is come here at the beginning of the week and keep trying a route until I get it," he said. 

For Burks, that is one of the main reasons he is building the new gym.

"We have seen such a great opportunity to give something fun to younger kids and take with them their whole life," Burks said.

But is there a market for this in Tulsa?

"Do I believe it is exciting enough and that I can tell that message to Tulsa and Tulsa will respond and will love it?" Burks said. "Without a doubt. Without a doubt."