Former Homestead church, now an agility course, is still a place to reach a higher power - TribLIVE

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When you’re 17 feet in the air about to take a step onto a tight rope, you might need some inner strength.

That fortitude is something that can be brought out of you at the Dragon’s Den. Housed in the former historic St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead,this ropes course is more than an agility exercise.

It’s a challenge for the mind as well.

“It doesn’t look that high from down here, but your perspective is different when you are up there,” said Giulia Lozza Petrucci, of Shadyside, executive director and co-founder of Dragon’s Den with husband, Bill Petrucci. “We believe this ropes course is therapeutic, and that you have to dig deep inside yourself and trust in yourself, challenge yourself.”

An upper course has 18 elements, among them the tight rope, a skateboard and pogo stick. The lower course has 25 elements that are similar — just closer to the ground.

A 160-foot zip line called “The Dragon’s Leap” connects the choir loft to the former altar.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

The Dragon’s Den, a ropes course, is open inside the former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead. It has a 160-foot zip line, “The Dragon’s Leap,” connects the choir loft to the former altar.

Most people start on the lower course to get used to a harness and a helmet.

“It’s great for team building and self-esteem and self-advocacy,” said Giulia Lozza Petrucci, who has completed every element on the course.

The mission of the non-profit is to “promote the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and cultural development of youth.” It’s a perfect activity for children from kindergarten to seniors in high school, including those at-risk and with disabilities, she said.

Adults also can try it.

Weekly free demonstrations are held every Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Guests can schedule a time Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday.

Prices start at $15.

The rest of the week is for places they are partnering with as well as schools, organizations and local children.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

Lead instructor Tim White climbs a rope at The Dragon’s Den, a ropes course, which opened inside the former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead.

The idea came to the couple after their honeymoon in Comodoro Rivadavia, a city in Patagonia, Southern Argentina at a mission dedicated to children’s education and well-being. They saw little kids living in boxes, but in a nearby school that was being built they noticed a beautiful bathroom with the best porcelain and ceramic fixtures.

They wondered, why such a stunning bathroom?

The mission was led by Rev. Juan Corti, who taught the couple how important it is to surround children with beauty to inspire them to dream of possibilities above and beyond what they see in their everyday life.

“Participants have the opportunity to enjoy stunning architectural details up close,” said Giulia Lozza Petrucci, who was inspired to open this after seeing her children Marc, 12, and Carola, 16, experience one on a trip to her home country of Italy.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

The Dragon’s Den, a ropes course, is open inside the former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead.

They bought the church, built in 1896, for $77,000. They invested more money into a yearlong refurbishing project, which included a new roof, heating, electric, gas, and water systems. The original light fixtures hang from the ceiling, which is 52 feet high at its peak.

They’ve preserved the integrity of the architecture of the Italianate Renaissance church, certified as a historic building by the National Register of Historic Buildings, including the confessionals.

The name represents the mascot from the former grade school and was chosen by two members of the community.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

An element on the lower level of The Dragon’s Den, a ropes course, which is open inside the former St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead.

The rope course has received all required certifications. It has been endorsed by inspector Char Fetterolf from Adventure Network as “a one-of-a-kind, incredibly fun challenge course.”

Matt Needles, challenge course manager, said he joined the Dragon’s Den because of its mission. He said there was a time he was afraid of heights.

“I believe you grow inside by getting outside,” he said. “Even though this is inside, it’s an outdoor activity. You can start on the lower course and work your way up.”

It took a village (and then some)

The course was designed for free by Lucio Longhi and Patrizia Corti, who own something similar in Italy. The wood used to create the elements is Southern pine from Texas.

It took more than 80 volunteers to build it.

Past Dragon’s Den chairperson Lisa Olszak Zumstein helped the organization standardize its procedures, Giulia Lozza Petrucci said. Current chairperson Georgiana Riley and her husband Bob, a Munhall native, helped lead a fundraising campaign.

They’ve received funding from Jefferson Regional Foundation, Heinz Endowments, the state Department of Human Services and Awesome Pittsburgh.

Philanthropist Robert Levin and wife Dr. Kerry Bron gave a substantial donation, Giulia Lozza Petrucci said. Sister Melanie DiPietro, an attorney and a Sister of Charity at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, donated her legal expertise.

“We’ve had so much support from so many people,” Giulia Lozza Petrucci said. “So many people believe in this ropes course. There are therapeutic benefits of the use of rope courses for the holistic development of all children. They can learn self-confidence, control, development of hand-eye coordination, and self-awareness. The Dragon’s Den has the ability to inspire hope and create success.”

By taking that first step onto the tight rope.

The Dragon’s Den is located at 1008 Amity St., Homestead.

Details: 412-461-3336

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .