In September of last year, Cultivate Climbing's two locations filled with water and mud as Helene barreled through — it's Amboy Road location and it's new Foundy Street gym, which was set to open that fall.

With two locations flooded, the team rallied to open The Bunker, a small gym geared towards intermediate and advanced climbers inside Hatch Coworking in December. But after more than a year of work, the Foundy Street bouldering gym has opened its doors to Asheville's climbing community.

The new gym is housed in Foundation Skatepark's former indoor spot and even incorporates features like an old half pipe into the climbing walls. And if you're new to climbing, this gym is a good place to start, with plenty of beginner routes and no need for a partner.

Planning its biggest location yet

Cultivate Climbing is keeping its momentum going with plans to open a third gym with Highland Brewing next year. The 20,000-sqft ropes gym will be Cultivate's biggest yet and include a bouldering area and dedicated kids station.

Co-owner Devin DeHoll explains that while Helene wrought devastation to Cultivate's physical spaces and and set back timelines, it presented the greatest opportunities for growth that the business has seen yet. "At this moment we have more wind in our sails than we ever would have," said DeHoll. Before the storm, Cultivate had 7,000-sqft of space — 18 months later, it'll boast 40,000-sqft.

DeHoll credits loyal supporters and staff with why he's still in business today, and hopes to grow the local climbing community in Cultivate's next era. "We've had a legacy here as a place for people to gather, and be supported, and make friends for a really long time, " said DeHoll. "I hope that we can do that now in a bigger way than we have ever before."

Leading recreation trends in the RAD

While some flooded recreation areas and riverfront parks have a ways to go with recovery, over the past year, the RAD has seen somewhat of a renaissancewhen it comes to new sports offerings. Beyond the introduction of Cultivate's new Foundy Street space, Hi-Wire recently brought Ace & Eagle on to offer pickleball courts and golf simulators, and Asheville Hockey League transformed the concrete pad once home to Second Gear into the youth league's new homebase. Plus, Foundation Skatepark is right in Cultivate's backyard.

Beyond helping shape a sporty new side of the RAD's identity, the Cultivate team have joined a handful of other businesses leading the charge in revitalizing Foundy Street. Marquee, Wedge Brewery, and Foundation Woodworks are all open just a little more than a year after the storm decimated the area.

Foundation Woodworks even announced it will move from its big white tent on the edge of the plaza back to its brick and mortar home next to Wedge this month. Additionally, Uncommon Market is returning to Foundy Street for the first time since the storm this weekend, Sunday, Oct. 26.

Climbing at Foundy

The new gym is open seven days a week at 37 Foundy Street. Stop by for a day pass or look into membership options that give you access to all gyms and unlimited yoga classes at The Bunker. Bonus: There's also a coffee and smoothie bar at Foundy to keep you fueled for climbing.