We’re Working With Parkour Visions!

We’re excited to announce that Forge will be working with the nonprofit Parkour Visions to run outdoor camps and classes this summer and beyond!

Since we posted about the impending sale of the gym, we’ve received an outpouring of support. The community we’ve created at Forge feels like family. We’ve overcome challenges, expanded our limits, and grown together. Although we all feel incredibly sad that Forge is closing, we think Parkour Visions can help preserve what makes our community special.

Parkour Visions brings a tried-and-true approach to outdoor parkour classes. As some of you know, Parkour Visions lost their gym over three years ago. Since then, they’ve created a thriving outdoor community serving hundreds of students of all ages. PKV partners with community centers, schools, and other organizations to provide year-round access to movement and play.

Portland has so many unique, wonderful spots for outdoor parkour, like Irving Park and Les Aucoin Plaza by the Oregon Zoo. The Forge team looks forward to joining forces with PKV to explore these spaces with you. By shifting our focus to outdoor parkour, we can return to the roots of parkour and help keep the spirit of Forge alive.

As an internationally recognized nonprofit, Parkour Visions will help the Portland community expand in new ways. PKV runs successful programs for low-income youth, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+. Their design division helps build parkour parks across the United States and Canada. By working with PKV, we can advocate for our own outdoor play spaces in Portland.

Our Final Days

We have accepted an offer for the building with a business that has operated in our area for well over a decade. They know the neighborhood and all it’s ups and downs. We feel the offer is strong and the buyer very motivated. That being said, here's what may occur during the next couple of months. The buyer has 30 days to complete all their inspections and the sale is solid. Since this building is new construction there should be little concern that they will find any faults. If all goes as planned the building will be sold by August 10th. As for our members all classes will end and Forge sadly closed July 31st. During the 10 days in August all structures will be dismantled. If you would like to help out in this please reach out to Austin. Austin is working on an inventory spreadsheet with all the items we will have for sale. Keep an eye out for this if you have interest.

The Forge Parkour building is being sold but the Forge Parkour community will remain strong. Austin’s hope is that our athletes will continue to train together and support one another. The next two months gives our community time to really connect while at the gym. Take the time to reach out, share your phone numbers and make plans to practice outside. This is the sport of parkour. Portland Parkour on Facebook is also a good resource. As you know, Austin and Niko have created a strong bond with Parkour Visions in Seattle and they are excited about moving forward in Portland. You can find them at parkourvisions.org and sign up to stay informed of their offerings in the PDX area.

We give you all this info with the hopes that the sale will go through as planned. We all know that life has many variables and unforeseen things happen. If these plans change we will reach out to you. We are humbled by all your well wishes and continued support.

Respectfully,

Austin, Donna, Bob and Jacque Schatz