WATKINSVILLE, GA — June 18, 2026
By the APEX Team
What a year. From a Kickstarter dream to a Grand Opening that filled Wire Park — and now, APEX Climbing & Spa is showing up in newspapers, magazines, and on television screens across the region and beyond. 🎉
We're still pinching ourselves. So we wanted to take a moment to celebrate every outlet that has helped tell the APEX story — and to say a heartfelt thank you to the journalists, hosts, and producers who believed in what we're building here in Watkinsville, GA.
Here's the roundup — and it's a good one.
A recent update: the APEX story is still being told. Macaroni Kid Athens just published a fresh feature on APEX Climbing & Spa — spotlighting us as a must-know destination for adventurous families across Oconee County. It's a wonderful reminder that the momentum from our Grand Opening hasn't slowed down one bit. Read the new piece, then keep scrolling for the full roundup of every outlet that has helped tell our story so far.
Local Love
Our hometown has been with us from the very beginning. The Oconee Enterprise was one of the first to spot us, featuring the Blume family's plan to launch a climbing center at Wire Park in their September 2025 business roundup — long before the walls went up.
Over in Athens, The Red & Black told the story beautifully — "From Pipe Dream to Reality" — capturing the heart behind APEX and the community that rallied around it.
And for families across Oconee County, Macaroni Kid Athens (Mac Kids) spotlighted APEX as a must-know destination for adventurous families — exactly the audience we built this place for.
National Attention
Then things got really exciting. Climbing Business Journal — a national publication for the climbing industry — featured APEX and Wire Park, recognizing us as a standout new gym bringing spa amenities to the climbing world. To be seen by the industry we love? That meant everything.
And then came The American Dream — the nationally syndicated TV show. Their June 6 episode featured APEX Climbing & Spa alongside the city of Watkinsville, sharing our story with viewers across the country. You can browse more episodes from the American Dream Network — including the full Georgia lineup.
The American Dream — June 6 episode featuring APEX Climbing & Spa and the city of Watkinsville.
"From a pipe dream to a packed Grand Opening — APEX is proof that a community that shows up together can build something extraordinary."
The Community That Made It Possible
None of this would exist without the people who believed early. Our Kickstarter campaign energized the community and helped make APEX a reality — backers showed up, shared the vision, and turned an idea into walls, harnesses, and a whole lot of heart.
Neighbors of Oconee Magazine featured APEX and the family behind it in their February 2026 issue — and we're thrilled to share that a follow-up "where are they now" segment is coming in the June 2026 issue. We can't wait.
On Screen
Visit Oconee — the county's tourism office — partnered with Chris Greer Media, host and director of PBS TV's Viewfinders, to produce a short film promo for APEX. Watch it below — it captures the spirit of this place better than we ever could.
APEX Climbing & Spa — short film promo produced by Chris Greer Media for Visit Oconee.
The Full Press Roundup
Every outlet, every story — all in one place. Click through to read or watch each one.
Thank You — For Telling Our Story
To every reporter, editor, host, producer, and backer who has helped share the APEX story: thank you. You've turned a family dream into a community celebration — and the best chapters are still ahead.
APEX is open. The walls are up. The spa is on the way. And the story is just beginning. 🧗♀️✨