The Pad Will Expand to Second San Luis Obispo Gym
Owners plan to open a new 7,000-square-foot climbing facility on Foothill Boulevard by early 2028.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Pad is moving forward with plans for a second location in San Luis Obispo, aiming for an early 2028 opening at 765 Foothill Blvd. This expansion comes as the local business sees increased demand from students following Cal Poly's shift to a year-round trimester schedule.
Why it matters
The proposed gym expansion addresses the growing athletic needs of the student population in the San Luis Obispo area. By increasing its footprint, the business aims to accommodate more members as local academic scheduling patterns change.
The proposed new site at 765 Foothill Blvd. measures 7,000 square feet, complementing the existing facility located at 888 Ricardo Court. Standard monthly memberships currently cost $92, while rates for college students are set at $72.
The players
The Pad
The Pad is a climbing gym operator that currently manages facilities in multiple cities including San Luis Obispo, Binghamton, and Goleta.
Cal Poly
Cal Poly is a public university in San Luis Obispo that recently transitioned its academic calendar to a year-round trimester system.
The details
Owners are currently renovating the vacant Foothill Blvd. space while negotiating a lease to house the new climbing gym. They are surveying current members to finalize demand requirements, with the survey period set to close this Friday.
Timeline
2002: The business originally opened as SLO-Op climbing.
2024: A location in Henderson, Nevada was closed.
Early 2025: A new location opened in Binghamton, New York.
Friday: The deadline for current members to complete the expansion survey.
Early 2028: The targeted opening date for the new San Luis Obispo facility.
Market Landscape
This expansion aligns with the shift to year-round trimester academic systems at California universities, which creates steady, year-round demand for local services. The gym is capitalizing on this trend to position itself as a central hub for student recreation.
Current members may see changes in facility availability and should complete the expansion survey by Friday. Prospective student members can expect consistent year-round access to the new climbing facility once it opens.
The takeaway
The proposed expansion demonstrates how local businesses are adapting their operational capacity to match the changing schedules of student populations. Residents can stay informed on the development by participating in upcoming member engagement opportunities.
Further reading
For more information on local business activity, browse the Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tribune.
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