Following the reopening of six of its leisure venues on Monday (14 September), Edinburgh Leisure will be reopening its Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho next Monday, 21st September 2020.
A climbers’ paradise and Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena, booking goes live for climbing members at 9pm on Thursday, 17 September, and to non-members on Friday, 18 September. Members will be able to book climbing sessions eight days in advance, while for non-members, it’s seven days.
Customers wishing to book the gym facilities at EICA: Ratho, will be able to book three days in advance for members, and two days in advance for non-members – which is the same terms as at the other six Edinburgh Leisure venues, which recently opened.
Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Manager at EICA: Ratho said: “We know our climbers have missed the fantastic facilities at Ratho, and we’ve missed them and can’t wait to welcome them back.
“Like our other venues, things will be different but our climbers will still be guaranteed the warm Edinburgh Leisure welcome. Everyone is having to adapt to very different circumstances but the feedback from customers to the reopening of our six other venues has been very positive to the changes that we have put in place, which after all, are here for the health and safety of our staff and customers.”
The main changes that customers will see are:
- Only climbing on the walls and bouldering in the main arena will be available, as will the gym. However, the bouldering room will remain closed.
- Other services remaining closed for the time being include Clip ‘n Climb: the two cafés and Scrambles soft-play. Edinburgh Leisure will be following Government guidelines when considering the reopening these services.
- No coaching will be available but an experienced climber can bring in two guests. These can be signed in and paid for on arrival but payment will be cashless.
- Safety signage guidance will be on display throughout the venues.
- Additional sanitisation stations have been installed throughout the venue for use before and after each visit.
- Customers will need to book all climbing sessions in advance.
- Sessions have been changed to reduce congestion in the building. Customers will be able to book in for either a morning or afternoon session.
- The climbing sessions will run from 10:00 – 15:30 and 16:00 – 21:00 (Monday to Friday), and 9:00 – 12:30 and 13:00 to 17:00 (Saturday and Sunday)
- Equipment can be hired online at the time of booking or in person on site but payment will be cashless.
- Climbers will need to arrive ‘climb-ready’. Change facilities will not be available for use. There will also be reduced number of customer toilets.
An Edinburgh Leisure spokesperson explained: “We’re delighted to be re-opening EICA: Ratho and have been busy preparing for our customers return.
“As you can imagine, bringing Edinburgh Leisure’s diverse range of venues and services ‘back to life’ in a COVID-19 environment is a big and complex task. Our number one goal is to provide our customers with a clean, safe and enjoyable Edinburgh Leisure experience.”
Edinburgh Leisure, like every leisure trust in Scotland, is facing huge financial challenges. They continue to lobby the Government for financial support for the sector to ensure the sector survives and can continue to contribute to the country’s health and wellbeing.
June Peebles, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure is committed to ‘building back better’ to a sustainable Edinburgh Leisure and to continue making a positive impact to the citizens of Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing – as we have done for the last 22 years.
“Never before has health and wellbeing been so important. And Edinburgh Leisure remain committed to supporting the people of Edinburgh to be active and enjoy good health.”
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. They do this by running over 30+ sports and leisure facilities across the city and deliver their Active Communities programme, which helps improve the lives of people affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities and disabilities.
For more information: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/edinburgh-international-climbing-arena
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