NIRSA Facility Feature: UMass Climbing Facility

At the 2025 NIRSA Conference in Orlando this April, NIRSA recognized four exceptional recreation facilities with Outstanding Facilities Awards, sponsored by Mondo. These awards recognize excellence in newly constructed or renovated collegiate recreation facilities, considering factors such as the facility’s design, functionality, and impact on the school’s recreation program.

The UMass Climbing Facility at University of Massachusetts Amherst was one of the recipients of the 2025 Outstanding Facilities Awards.

Constructed by EP Climbing with DiMella Shaffer and Levy Dykema, the facility was designed to fulfill a unique need and fosters a sense of belonging in the campus community while providing a physical fitness opportunity for students looking for an alternative to some of the more traditional fitness center offerings such as cardio machines or weightlifting.

“Climbing is inherently inclusive—it meets students where they are, supports mental and physical well-being, and helps them build confidence through movement and community,” shares JoAnne Carilli-Stevenson, Sales and Customer Service Director for EP Climbing.

With a main recreation facility that operates at capacity, UMass explored other options for locating the climbing facility, ultimately deciding to utilize the first floor of the Fieldstone residential building. This location has the added benefit of being readily available to students, and designers took advantage of this feature by creating a space that would not only encourage physical activity but also foster a sense of community.

By the numbers

At more than 2,300 square feet with a bouldering wall over 14 feet high, the facility can accommodate up to 50 routes and as many as 40 climbers at once. A climbing orientation is provided, and equipment is available for checkout, decreasing barriers to participation often cited by novice climbers. The facility also hosts climbing competitions and teambuilding climbs, further expanding its reach. On average, 150-200 people are utilizing the climbing wall daily.

An adjacent lounge area with a fireplace and seating for 75 people encourages spontaneous gatherings, a setting that is enhanced by the large opening of a garage door which connects the lounge with an outdoor courtyard; the courtyard features additional seating and firepits. Award committee members found this feature especially impressive, praising campus recreation’s collaboration with the facility’s planners to serve students where they live, and the project’s ability to facilitate both socialization and physical fitness opportunities in a single space. As JoAnne says, “This project was about more than just building a wall—it is about creating a third space on campus where students can connect, move, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Congratulations to UMass Amherst, EP Climbing, DiMella Shaffer, and Levy Dykema for their collaboration which resulted in this unique and impactful facility!