NILES — Most offices cannot boast of a 35-foot tall climbing wall, trampoline and room exclusively for laser tag, but Ultra Camp’s office and business is not like most. 

The company launched in 2000, with the goal to offer comprehensive camp management to the industry. After more than two years of renovation, the company made the move into the building at 123 E. Main St. in June 2017.

Co-owners Daniel Ashley and Jason Payne, of Niles Township, said they felt it was time to debut their work on the formerly vacant and historic building — a project that, just like the climbing wall, was no small feat.

Specially for the Hunter Ice Festival, the company opened its doors to serve as a warming center for the festival. With some help from the Psi Lota Xi philanthropic organization, which helped to operate the warming center, people could enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, face painting and craft activities.

Those with a call for adventure could try their hand at the climbing wall.

“It is open not just for kids, but those young at heart,” Ashley said.

Debbie Bookout, of Niles, rose to the challenge and charged up the wall Saturday. The 53-year-old made it halfway up the wall before she decided it was time to return to the ground.

Bookout said she was impressed with the way the building looked.

“It’s awesome. I am so glad that they bought this building,” Bookout said. “They did a fabulous job with it.”

Ashley said the festival was not so much an opportunity to promote Ultra Camp, but rather a way to showcase one of many business projects taking root in the downtown. 

“This is not a marketing opportunity, just a chance to benefit the community,” Ashley said. “We want people to know there are some really interesting things happening in the downtown.”

With help from city leaders, Ashley said the process of fixing up the historic building was made easier.

“The city of Niles was absolutely instrumental and fabulous to work with,” Ashley said. “Without the help of the Niles DDA Main Street and the city council, we would never be able to pull this off.”

With help from these entities, Ashley said the company was able to obtain three grants that helped to fund the project, the biggest was from the state of Michigan and totaled $220,000 in grant payment.

The company employs 15 people, most of which are full-time. The employees and their families will have access to the climbing wall, trampoline and laser tag. Ashley said he is not sure at this time if these are things that will be open to the public.

Ashley expressed pride in the building and how far it has come.

“I think it is some of the most interesting office space,” Ashley said. “You would have to go to Chicago to find something else like this.”