The Main Street parking deck was use for a rappelling event for Christian non-profit education organization CenterPoint Friday.
CenterPoint has been offering Christian education to Gainesville High School students since 1969 and looks to keep improving their impact in the community. They teamed up with urban rappelling organization Over The Edge to conduct the rappelling event.
“Since [1969], we have added mentoring, counseling, both in-house and in the schools, and life skills prevention education,” Barbara Flemming, Executive Director of CenterPoint said. “We knew we wanted a signature event. We knew we wanted it to be outside. We wanted families to be able to come. And we didn't want a golf tournament or a gala or a 5k, and so what else is left? Rappelling."
CenterPoint is working with Over The Edge, who handles the safety measures and equipment for the experience.
“We measure every building to make sure we get the repel height correct, and the height from the edge of the parapet wall down to the ground is 70 feet. [In terms of the company’s past events] It's a little on the short side,” Darien Dopp, Technical and Safety Manager at Over the Edge said.
As of noon Friday, 28 people had volunteered to rappel to show their support, with CenterPoint officials saying plenty more were expected into the afternoon.
“Everyone who went over has raised at least $1,000. We have some that have raised as much as $6000,” Fleming said.
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http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/6/1291815/centerpoint-hosts-rappelling-fundraiser-in-downtown-gainesville