Long-Awaited “Pad Climbing” Gym in Vestal is Now Open

The Binghamton-area's first indoor climbing facility is welcoming has opened its doors.

Construction for The Pad Climbing gym in Vestal had been underway for several months. The new 16,000-square-foot is located in the Nielsen Hardware building at 2220 Vestal Road. The space previously was occupied by the Edge sports complex.

Yishai Horowitz, a founder of The Pad Climbing enterprise, told WNBF News the business received its occupancy permit from the town this week.

In an email, Horowitz said The Pad is now open for members. He said the place will open to the public on Sunday.

Horowitz in early December said about 160 people had pre-registered to be among those invited to experience the gym's facilities. He said there had been an outpouring of interest since plans for the facility were made public.

For now, The Pad will be open daily from noon to 7 p.m. Those are temporary operating hours. The facility eventually will be open around-the-clock for use by members.

Walltopia - a Bulgarian company - manufactured the climbing walls that were designed specifically for the new gym.

Workers traveled from Bulgaria to Vestal to help assemble the sections.

Although most of the climbing options are inside, an outdoor slackline is expected to open this spring.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: We observed a Broome County volunteer firefighter trying out The Pad Climbing facility on January 2, 2025.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.