New Competition Wall
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Construction work has begun in the arena for the new competition walls. The works may affect access to the existing competition wall at some times, although we will try to keep it open in the evenings. The work is likely to continue until August and will result in some amazing new walls.
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Ratho has just secured funding for a new international standard competition wall to be built at EICA which will be jointly financed by Edinburgh Leisure and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh & Lothians.
The competition wall will enable EICA to host competitions from Regional up to World Cup standard and as a result attract top class climbers to the centre. The new wall will be an extension to the existing competition wall and will be built in accordance with IFSC international competition standards and will enhance the climbing facilities at EICA for expert and beginner climbers. In addition the structure will provide even more climbing routes for beginners and intermediate climbers increasing the climbing capacity in what is already the world's largest indoor climbing arena.
There will be two walls, built either side of the current competition wall, one for lead climbing competitions and one for speed climbing. The new, more difficult, lead climbing wall will feature a permanent overhang which can be extended to increase the difficulty for competitions, further testing athletes agility and stamina.
Leading international climbing wall manufacturer Entre-Prises have been selected to build the new wall with work expected to begin in late Spring 2008.
Linda McPherson, Executive Director of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, says: "The completion of the design phase is a significant milestone and the design meets all the current criteria set out by the world climbing bodies. The new climbing competition wall will enable the EICA to build on its success so far while also attracting major new UK and international climbing events to Scotland, helping to boost both visitor numbers and tourism revenue for the city."
EICA Manager, Graeme Gardiner, is naturally delighted and echoes Linda's statement saying: "This funding paves the way for us to realise our full potential as the world's largest climbing arena - attracting truly world class climbing events."
The climbing fraternity are also please that this new wall will boost the sport in Scotland. Kevin Howett, development officer for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, commented: "This new wall will add another world class facility to what is already the world’s best indoor climbing arena.”
He added, “As well as offering a state of the art competition wall, this will be one of the biggest cantilevered climbing walls in the world and will also allow additional easier-angled climbing to be added to the arena when not in competition use. I am sure it will help Scottish climbers of all abilities to increase their climbing grades.”
We look forward to working with EICA to maximise the use of this new wall. It will help the growing number of talented Scottish competition climbers, such as Natalie Berry, Robert Mackenzie and Jonathan Stocking, gain even better placings on the world stage.
To keep up to date with the Competition wall's progress click here.
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