Climbing wall to open in Brighton tomorrow

A climbing wall is due to open at the Withdean Sports Complex tomorrow (Saturday 15 March).

The mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Denise Cobb, is scheduled to perform the official opening at 10.30am.

The climbing wall will be operated by High Sports, which runs a similar set up at the K2 leisure centre in Crawley.

High Sports funded the new £250,000 climbing centre in Brighton.

The investment follows a £3 million project to extend and improve the health and fitness centre at Withdean last year and replace the running track.

Brighton and Hove City Council said: “The new facility will be the largest in the south east and will be a regional centre of excellence, meeting the high demand for climbing in the city.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden

“On Sunday 16 March, there will be free 30-minute taster sessions all day. These will run on a first come first served basis from 10am, with the last session starting at 4pm.

“The sessions will cater for the whole family so everyone can experience the fun of indoor climbing.”

The council, which owns the Withdean complex, said that High Sports would work alongside the main operator on the site, Freedom Leisure.

And it would offer free use of the climbing centre to local schools during the summer term.

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the council’s Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “The new climbing wall will prove to be yet another hugely popular attraction at the Withdean complex and complements the new running track and the extension of the health and fitness facilities opened last year.

“The Withdean Sports Complex is certainly delivering on the Olympic legacy.”

Ross Philipson, Freedom Leisure centre manager at Withdean, said: “We’re delighted to have such a fantastic facility at Withdean Sports Complex and are encouraging as many people as possible to come along and join in with one of the free taster sessions on Sunday.

“The climbing wall will provide another way for people to get active and it’s fun that the whole family can enjoy.

“It will be a great addition to the wide range of facilities already on offer.”

The climbing wall, offering ropes and bouldering, will be open seven days a week with sessions for adults and children from the age of four years old.

Find out more at www.high-sports.co.uk.