Tag: Edinburgh International Climbing Arena

EICA:Ratho bouldering facility benefits from sportscotland investment

Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing arena at Ratho has benefitted from a major funding investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund.

The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena has received £100,000 towards bouldering redevelopment which will improve opportunities to progress at all levels of the sport.

The redevelopment will ensure that Ratho becomes the only climbing centre in the UK with Olympic standard facilities for all three climbing disciplines (lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering).

This investment has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.

Welcoming the investment, Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re delighted and very grateful to receive the sportscotland funding that means we can replace our outdated bouldering facilities at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA).

“With indoor bouldering now the most widely practised form of climbing it will ensure that the EICA can continue as a world class venue for all three climbing disciplines – lead, speed, and bouldering – while continuing to provide climbers of all ages and abilities with access to opportunities to participate in and progress through the sport. 

“It will also mean that Scotland is able to host bouldering competitions and national training camps and allow the EICA to keep our national and international profile as a world-class climbing facility.”

The EICA:Ratho is among 18 projects across Scotland to share a total of £1,506,263 from sportscotland to develop existing facilities or create a new home for sport and physical activity.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “The aim of the Sports Facilities Fund is to support sustainable and inclusive projects with their ambitions of using sport and physical activity to enhance the lives of their local communities. This investment would not be possible without National Lottery players who continue to raise vital funding for sport across Scotland.

“The physical and mental health benefits of sport are well documented, but equally important is the ability to create a space where everyone is welcome to participate at their own level.

“Projects like this one at the EICA not only create opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity but can also provide a place for communities to come together.”

The Sports Facilities Fund prioritises projects that widen access to participation or allow people to progress further within their chosen sport locally by removing barriers, particularly in rural areas or areas of deprivation, and for under-represented groups.

In addition to the investment, projects can benefit from the expertise within sportscotland’s facilities team to maximise the impact that their plans will have, ensuring they meet the needs of their local communities now and in the future.

City climbers to scale new heights

A new climbing slab wall, suitable for novices and intermediate climbers has been unveiled at Europe’s largest indoor climbing wall, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho.

Fifteen new lines, suitable for novices and intermediate climbers, will increase the offering to these groups by 50%. These new lines will allow up to 45 more colour coded, graded climbs to be set within the arena. A third of the lines, five in total, have the addition of auto belays, meaning a climber doesn’t require a partner to ‘belay’.

Nic Crawshaw, Climbing Operations Manager at EICA: Ratho explained: “Designed as a venue for national and international competitions and as a national centre for climbing, our fantastic facility at the EICA: Ratho caters particularly well for advanced and elite climbers. 

“The installation of these new lines will enhance and make the climbing experience more accessible for new and the less experienced climber, and especially children and young people, disability climbing groups, and people involved in our Active Communities programme. 

“With increased wall space suitable for these groups, we hope that it’ll increase the number of people getting involved in climbing for the first time. However, given the design of the new wall, it will also provide a few technical challenges for the more advanced climber too. It’s all about bringing climbing to more people.”

The project was funded by Edinburgh Leisure, who manage the facility at EICA: Ratho, and match funded by sportscotland, with an endorsement from Mountaineering Scotland. King Kong Climbing Walls from Cumbria built the walls after being successful in a tendering process.

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “We work closely with partners across the country including Edinburgh Leisure to create the right facilities that will provide more opportunities for people to get active in their local communities.

“So, it’s great to see this new climbing wall at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, which will further enhance the already fantastic facilities that are available at Ratho and specifically create opportunities to help less experienced climbers develop their skills.

“Our investment in facilities such as this is made possible thanks to the National Lottery players who raise £30million each week for good causes. Without that level of support, developing community facilities like the new climbing wall would not be possible.”

Stuart Younie, CEO, Mountaineering Scotland said: “Following the debut of climbing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Ratho provides a unique and important facility for the sport both at a national and international level.  

“It provides both a gateway for new participants and also an important training venue for those who are working towards competing at the highest levels in the sport. The new slab wall will open opportunities for more people to enjoy the benefits of participating in climbing as part of a clear participation pathway giving them the opportunity to progress and develop their skills.

“By supporting this project Mountaineering Scotland and the ClimbScotland programme also hope it will underpin further investment and support for the development of climbing at all levels to ensure the EICA: Ratho is a truly world class facility.”

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity on a mission to help keep people active and well always. They run over 50 sport, leisure and school venues and are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active.

Their Active Communities Programme harnesses the power of physical activity and sport to tackle inequalities and combat the effects of inactivity. Each year they support around 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty to get active – empowering them to improve and protect their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

For more information:
https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/edinburgh-international-climbing-arena

Soft Play’s back in action at Edinburgh Leisure

Soft play centres reopen today

Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play centres, Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Scrambles at the EICA and Tumbles at Portobello will finally be reopening their doors to customers today, Monday, 19 July 2021. 

Bookings for members went live at 9pm on Tuesday, 13 July and for non-members on Wednesday, 14 July.

Claire Rusack, Leisure Manager at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Clambers said: “It’s been such a long time coming after an extended lock-down, which meant that we weren’t able to open as originally planned on 7th June, but we’re delighted that we can finally welcome back our youngest of customers and their parents and carers to let off some steam. 

“So, for anyone with little ones who need to burn off some energy, make sure you’re not disappointed by pre-booking in advance for any sessions you want to attend via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website.  And if you think you might be a regular customer, you might want to consider buying one of our soft-play memberships.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions Edinburgh Leisure has had to adapt their offering with pre-booking done via the Edinburgh Leisure app or website only for all visits, either 8 days in advance for members or 7 days for non-members. No parties or special events can be booked at this stage.

All three venues will follow the same daily opening times from 9.30am-5pm, Monday to Sunday, with five pre-bookable slots of 60-minutes each to accommodate deep cleaning between each.   At the start of each month, the frames will be treated with a 30-day virus protection.

Adults will book a table for a maximum of six people, which will include adults, children, and babies.

Adults can remove face coverings while seated at the table but will be required to wear them at all other times, especially when moving around the space. A café service will be available throughout all sessions.  However, we are running a restricted menu at this time.

To adhere to Government guidelines, there will be no adults or staff allowed in the frames. 

However, adults can enter the frame to support a child with additional support needs. All adults entering the frame or walking around the soft play area must wear a face covering.  Space in baby areas where adults are present, will be limited, due to physical distancing.

Currently, frame capacity has been reduced to 40% of normal operating capacity, and ball pools and modular items have been removed.

The cost of a 60-minute session is: free for 0-6 months; £4.40 for 6 months – 2 years; and £6.80 for children 3 years and over.

And for regular soft-play attendees, there is an option to buy a membership, offering great value.

A monthly membership costs £16.70 for one child; £28.00 for two children; £33.80 for three children; and £39.50 for four children, which can be used at any of the three Edinburgh Leisure soft play centres across the city.

The Edinburgh Leisure app can be downloaded from the Google and App stores.

For more information, visit:  www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Climbing Arena to reopen on Monday

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

Edinburgh Gears Up To Welcome Europe’s Top Climbers

In just over a week, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA): Ratho will once again take centre stage as it welcomes some of the world’s leading sport climbing athletes for the IFSC European Climbing Championships 2019. Continue reading Edinburgh Gears Up To Welcome Europe’s Top Climbers

‘Phenomenal demand’ for European Climbing Championships tickets

Hosts of the IFSC European Climbing Championships, which will take place from 4-6 October 2019 at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena at Ratho, are reporting huge demand for tickets. Continue reading ‘Phenomenal demand’ for European Climbing Championships tickets