76.0°

But people have heard it is for sale, Cecil added.

"People come up to me at the grocery store and ask me why we're closing," he said.

The Cecils "put out feelers" that could lead to selling the property after getting this year's property tax bill, he said. Their valuation went up sharply. Cecil didn't want to talk about how much, but he compared the increase to "a small house - downtown."

An appeal lowered the valuation, he said, but it also showed the property was worth much more than they thought.

With a second child due any time and a 2-year-old at home, they have to consider whether keeping the business is the best use of their business investment.

"It's an incredible facility," said Becky Janes, who plans on teaching a climbing class for women beginning in January. When the days are short and it always seems to be raining, The Rock Dump's climbing walls are even more important, she added.

Losing it would "be hard for Juneau," she added. As a friend, she said she understands.

"I'm a business owner as well," said Janes, who owns Above and Beyond Alaska, a tour company, with her husband, Sean Janes.

Todd Wicks, a Riverbend Elementary School fifth-grade teacher who brought his class to the gym Thursday, said he had heard it was for sale. He would miss it if it closed, he said.

The 10- and 11-year-olds storming the walls Thursday were having a good time.

As Juneau party spots go, "this is one of the best places," 11-year-old Ian Grant said.

Classmate Ben Williams, also 11, said he has been to The Rock Dump "10-hundred times." He's been there for birthday parties.

"The Scouts come here a lot," he added. "It's fun, even if you hurt."

"I can fly up there real fast," said 10-year-old Kaya Pruett, before one of the parents, Margaret O'Neal, made sure she was securely tied to the rope she was holding on the ground.

As her son, Kevin O'Neal-Smith, was bouncing down the wall, O'Neal said coming down is the fun part. Parties at The Rock Dump mean more than dumping kids off, she said.

After Thelea Savlick bragged that she could make it to the top in less than 30 seconds, O'Neal counted off as the 11-year-old girl climbed to the top.

Cecil said he was surprised that parties before regular business hours became such a popular part of the business. But he has enjoyed being a part of them.

He also has been surprised with the diversity of people he has met. People from Wasilla and Bethel come in, saying they've heard the gym is something that must be done on a visit to Juneau. People from Ketchikan have told him they miss the climbing gym they used to have. "I feel I've met everyone from Hoonah."

In planning the business, he figured that selling the property for more than they paid would be a worst-case scenario. Floors are reinforced to support heavy equipment. "If we had to get out, we could," he said.

Now, if they sell, Cecil said the cost would make it difficult for a new owner to get a satisfactory return operating as a climbing gym.