Locker Rooms
In 2020, the Front Climbing Club built a brand new, state-of-the-art climbing gym in South Salt Lake City, UT. From December 2020 to January 2021 I led a team of 3 carpenters in the building and installation of both men’s and women’s locker rooms in that building. Over 450 lockers were installed in all.
First steps of the project included making toe kicks and installing them level to create a solid foundation for the wood locker units to rest on. Strips of wood furring were also set flush with the existing sheetrock to anchor locker units to the wall.
Installation of the locker rooms at the Front didn’t begin until the gym had been open for nearly a year. Working in operating spaces meant keeping a tidy workflow and reducing loud noise to less-busy hours as much as possible. To limit time spent on-site, individual locker units were built in the Vertical Solutions warehouse, and later transported to the gym.
Once all of the lockers were anchored in place, birch plywood paneling was installed to the ceilings. Walnut trim was added around the ceiling and around corners. Powder-coated perforated steel benches with birch plywood seats were brought in as the final pieces of the rooms.
This project included many difficulties, including a redesign of the floor plan part way through installation, working in an operating building, and coordinating a team at our workshop, in transportation, and on site. While I didn’t contribute to the design of this project, contributing to a beautiful finished product was a satisfying and growing experience.
