Where some see a dilapidated grainery, a Naperville man sees the opportunity to have the building literally crawling with people.
The 100-year-old Plainfield grainery sits abandoned on Illinois Highway 126, sandwiched between railroad tracks and the Plainfield Historical Society.
Mark Berman, who runs a construction firm, recently approached the village last month about developing the building–with its 21 solid poured concrete silos inside–as the Rock It Gym, with indoor and outdoor climbing walls.
“I have driven past that building for four years and it came to me that, boy, that would make a great rock climbing wall,” said Berman, who rock climbs with his teenage children.
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Berman has visited another grainery that was : converted to a climbing facility in Bloomington.
He said this one can be even better.
Inside there would be six 75-foot towers, another six at 60 feet each and nine at 50 feet. There would be plenty for the novice, experienced and expert, Berman said.
The Rock It Gym development group includes Berman, his brother Kevin and friend Matt Moser.
The men have already consulted the USA Climbing association with the intent of one day soon hosting a national rock climbing event in the building.
The three have not received the official go-ahead from the village so far, but trustees sound optimistic.
“I’m excited about a use for the building,” said Trustee Michael Collins. “It hasn’t had any occupants except for pigeons for the last 30 to 40 years.”