Tired of bootcamps, fitspo and yoga?
Wil Mclean and Eddie Chan (also the owner of Bolt Juice Bar) have paired up to create Pursuit OCR, a 10,000 square-foot warehouse transformed into an enormous indoor play zone near Queen and Dufferin [see listing].
Last Saturday night’s launch party was what 1980s dreams are made of. The industrial space was softly lit with LED lanterns programmed to cycle through 16 million different colours and infinite patterns. The Nightwave Collective got the party started (and kept it going until 1 am) with a retro electronic tracks and Atari video game vibe.
Pursuit OCR offers fitness and recreation facilities that you likely won’t find anywhere else in the downtown core: for obstacle course racing (OCR), there are 160 yards of 19 combined obstacles to explore, from jumping and climbing on old school playground obstacles (such as the always challenging but ever popular monkey bars). Cove Walls, typically found in skate parks, are 11- or 14-foot curved walls for running – and, somehow, standing – atop. And Cryosauna ($35) works by standing in extreme cold for two minutes to initiate a physical response from the body that releases endorphins, reduces inflammation and pain.
And don’t forget the kids: every Sunday, for $10 per child, parents can let their tikes tire themselves out in the indoor playground while the adults enjoy a coffee at the in-house café.
Pursuit raised $31,000 through Indiegogo to get started, which also helped market it to the neighbourhood. That money will be used “for new equipment and to hit the ground running with all the supplies needed to make the classes awesome,” Mclean says. In addition to offering classes, owners plan to cover costs through corporate team building opportunities. They will also host charity events where they plan to donate every dollar back to the community.
Pursuit has already partnered with Get Real, an LGBTQ advocacy and awareness non-profit, the Canadian Safe Schools Network and owners are looking to expand their charitable network. If you missed the grand opening, the next shindig will be a Halloween bash presented by Get Real and Hey DW will be DJing. Get more info here.
See listing.
