BLACKSBURG â Venture Out, Virginia Techâs outdoor recreation program, is moving on up â literally.
A 14½-foot rock-climbing wall marks the latest feature of the programâs new home at 540 Beamer Way. Constructed in the fall, the $2.2 million building opened to the public in January and provides resources for planning outdoor trips, rentals for canoes, kayaks and other gear, and team-building exercises, among other services.
âWeâve been planning for this building for three years,â Ali Cross, Techâs director of recreational sports, said. âThis is going to set us up for a lot of success.â
The 5,000-square-foot facility, which includes expanded storage space and a conference room for pre-trip activities, raises the stature of Venture Out and recreational sports generally on campus. Across the parking lot from the new Venture Out building, a Rec Sports Field House opened last fall and hosts badminton, pickleball and volleyball. In a f