Edinburgh Leisure Unveils ‘World Class’ Upgrade at International Climbing Arena
In a thrilling turn of events for climbing enthusiasts in Edinburgh, the highly anticipated upgrade at the International Climbing Arena is finally set to be unveiled. Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing arena in Ratho has undergone a remarkable £100,000 makeover, bringing in new bouldering facilities that are bound to impress even the most seasoned climbers.
New State-of-the-Art Competition Bouldering Wall
The highlight of this renovation is the introduction of a new “state-of-the-art” competition bouldering wall, designed by the esteemed Serious Climbing team at Rockcity in collaboration with Dreamwall. This addition makes EICA: Ratho the sole climbing center in the UK equipped with Olympic/International standard facilities for all three climbing disciplines – lead climbing, speed climbing, and bouldering.
Expert Insight and Unparalleled Collaboration
Nic Crawshaw, the Director of Climbing at EICA, expressed his excitement about the new walls, specially designed for experienced climbers to test their limits and refine their skills. The collaboration with top-notch route setters such as Percy Bishton and Max Aryton, both IFSC route setters, has elevated the bouldering experience at EICA to a whole new level.
Celebration and Community Engagement
To mark the unveiling of the new bouldering facilities, EICA: Ratho is hosting a December Bouldering Competition, offering participants a chance to win a year of free climbing. Additionally, there is a limited-time offer of no-joining-fee for Climb Memberships until January 31, 2025, adding to the excitement and accessibility of this world-class facility.
The investment in this upgrade was made possible by funding from Sportscotland and National Lottery players, as acknowledged by Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure. This support has enabled EICA to replace outdated bouldering facilities with top-tier amenities, ensuring that Scotland can now host bouldering competitions and national training camps, solidifying its status as a premier destination for climbers of all ages and skill levels.
This transformative upgrade not only enhances the climbing experience at EICA: Ratho but also underscores Edinburgh’s commitment to providing a world-class venue for climbers across the board. As the doors open to the public on December 7, the climbing community eagerly awaits the opportunity to scale new heights and embrace the thrill of these unparalleled facilities.
