In a year that has seen many businesses in the community struggle to adapt to the new normal, one Invermay business has thrived.
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On Saturday, Launceston's first indoor rock climbing gym Beta Park celebrated its first birthday after opening in September 2020.
Beta Park owner Tommy Krauss said making it to one year was a significant milestone for the business and wanted Saturday to be a celebration of the people that made it possible.
"It's essentially just a day to celebrate the people that made Beta Park happen - we're not sort of celebrating ourselves as much as we should - it's just a big long day with lots of music, and a food truck out back," he said.
He said the success of the gym had been strongly influenced by the community - something he explained was at the core of the business.
"For us, it's very important that we work with the community and it's super important for me and my staff that we are sort of the foundation of that community," he said.
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In building a foundation, Beta Park has worked with other Launceston institutions to create an environment that not only focuses on physical wellbeing but social wellbeing too.
Mr Krauss said one example was a collaboration between the gym and the University of Tasmania's Student Union to connect students with the local community.
"It was aimed at connecting students and integrating them into the local community and making connections for people, especially the ones that have just recently arrived," he said.
"In Launceston, there are lots of people from overseas and interstate and everywhere in Tassie.
"That means that not everybody has a community to call their own and we feel we can provide that space."
Mr Krauss said he was extremely proud of the business and all his staff for their commitment to helping him realise his vision for a community-focused gym.
He said reflecting on the past year he was excited for the future of rock climbing, particularly after its inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics, and said he looked forward to more good years to come.
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