APEX Grand Opening: A Day We'll Never Forget

There are moments you plan for—and then there are moments that completely exceed anything you imagined.

This past Saturday at Wire Park was the latter.

From the first steps of the Miles for Smiles 5K and the fun pop-up climbing tower in the early morning, to the final glow of climbers inside under the blacklight late that night, APEX Climbing & Spa officially came to life—not just as a building, but as a community.

A Crowd That Covered Wire Park

We knew there would be interest. We didn't expect that.

Wire Park was filled—families, students, longtime friends, new faces—all gathering, exploring, reconnecting. The energy was constant, carried by live music throughout the day that turned the entire space into something closer to a festival than a grand opening.

At one point, looking out over the crowd, it became clear:

"This Is Why We Built It"

During the ribbon cutting, Mayor Brian Brodrick shared something that stayed with us. He spoke about the importance of places like APEX in fulfilling the vision of our city—spaces that bring people face-to-face, creating real connection in a world increasingly shaped by screens.

That's exactly what we hoped for.

And throughout the day, we saw it happening everywhere:

• Families climbing together
• Friends reconnecting in the café
• Kids discovering something new
• Conversations happening naturally, without distraction

The Moments That Meant the Most

For Eileen and me, two things stood above everything else:

That meant a lot to us. Because APEX was never meant to be just a place to climb—it's meant to be a basecamp for people to grow, connect, and rediscover what matters together.

A Community That Made It Possible

We are incredibly grateful for the partners who believed in APEX early and helped bring it to life:

We were also honored to be supported by both the Oconee Chamber of Commerce and the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, whose presence meant a great deal to us as a Filipino-owned business.

And to our growing community of APEX members—many of whom joined long before we opened—you made this possible. You are already bringing this place to life.

Honoring a Life That Shaped Generations

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was honoring Mike Rivers.

When we asked if anyone present had been impacted by Mike's life and mentorship, people stepped forward from across the crowd—something we hoped for, but still deeply moving to witness. His influence spans generations, and it meant so much to see so many make the effort to be there in person.

During the ceremony, we announced the creation of the

We also had the honor of presenting Mike with the very first

Following the ceremony, thanks to the generosity of Cali n Tito's, many gathered for a reception that turned into a beautiful reunion—stories shared, laughter, and gratitude for a life that has meant so much to so many.

A Day Full of Firsts

Throughout the day, people experienced APEX for the first time:

• The climbing walls—alive with energy
• The outdoor tower—drawing a crowd
• The café—serving Opo Coffee, long awaited in Athens
• The retail space—buzzing with curiosity
• The spa and fitness areas—leaving people genuinely surprised

The café, in particular, was a joy to watch. Our baristas did an incredible job, and it was clear that Opo Coffee has found a home here.

And yes—the spa is almost ready. We're just awaiting final permits, and we can't wait to open those doors in the coming days.

When the Night Took Over

We had planned to transition into a movie on the Jumbotron…
but the bands were playing, the crowd was fully present, and the moment felt too good to interrupt.

So we let it continue.

Music carried us into the night until the final chapter of the day:

It felt like the perfect ending—joyful, a little surreal, and full of life.

This Is Just the Beginning

The American Dream TV crew captured the day and the story behind APEX, and we're excited to share that the episode will air this June.

We also premiered the APEX short film — produced by Chris Greer Studios, filmmaker and host of Viewfinders on PBS — on the big screen at Wire Park during the celebration.

But more importantly, this is just the beginning.

APEX is now open—and the real story is what happens next:

• Programs
• Events
• Teams
• Families growing together

Join Us

If you've been following along—or if you came and want to be part of what's building here—this is your invitation.

We're currently offering limited-time Grand Opening benefits, including:

• Bonus weeks/months added to new memberships
• A special welcome gift
• Entry into our upcoming drawing for a free annual membership

👉Learn more or join here: apexclimbingandspa.com