Business & Tech

'Wipeout' Course Opens on Friday - But Not in Danvers Anymore

Friday is grand opening day for the Wipeout-style obstacle course that was originally planned to be in Danvers.

The “Wipeout”-style obstacle course that was planned to open this fall in Danvers is opening for the first time on Friday, but in a new home – 35 miles south in Abington.

“We’re not opening in Danvers anymore,” said owner Pat Tarmey, a North Shore native.

The course is designed to be much like the course seen on the ABC TV show by the same name, with obstacles named “big blue balls,” “barrel roll,” “cargo drop” and “spinning pegs.” But it has changed its name, now going by the name "Gravity." The course - the first of its kind in the country open to the public - will still be much like the ones contestants battle in the TV show.

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Tarmey said he made the decision to change tact and abandon the Danvers plans in favor of Abington about a month ago. On the company’s Facebook page, a post on Oct. 11 said they were making the move because the Abington location is much larger. The new space is 25,000 square feet versus the 4,800 square foot space where it was originally planned in a commercial building on Route 1 south in Danvers next to North Shore Marble and Granite, roughly between White Hen Pantry and Home Depot.

Tarmey said he may open a North Shore location at one time but no location has been picked out. For now, the only location is in Abington.

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The Abington location, at 1437 Bedford St., is a 36-mile drive from the formerly planned Danvers location, a trip that is about 45 minutes without traffic, according to Mapquest.

The grand opening is planned for 5 p.m. on Friday.

“They are doing the final touches today,” Tarmey said on Friday.

Earlier this fall, hundreds of discount passes were sold on Groupon, at $25 for 5 runs and $49 for 10 runs on the course. Those passes are now valid at the Abington location.


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