ONE of Plymouth’s oldest and much-loved indoor climbing walls as been saved from the brink of closure.
The facility at YMCA Plymouth on Honicknowle Lane looked like it had seen its final ascent, due the high maintenance costs required and the unsustainability of its existing sessions.
But thanks to a new partnership with Youth Sports Innovations, who will take over the management of the facility, and funding from Plymouth Pathfinder through Sport England, renovations have been carried out and the wall is now set to reach new highs with the launch of an exciting new project called ‘The Rock’ in February.
Led by climber, adventurer and expedition leader, James Dyer, Youth Sports Innovations will begin running new sessions on the wall from February 1.
The new community-focused project aims to help more people engage in climbing and enjoy both its mental and physical health benefits.
With a new team of professional coaches, ‘The Rock’ will host a range of new programmes, courses and events, as well as offering affordable open climbing sessions.
Tom Lavis, CEO of YMCA Plymouth said of the new partnership: “We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Youth Sport Innovations and Active Devon in helping us rescue this great asset for our community.
“James and his team come with a wealth of climbing experience that will greatly enhance the wall and what it offers to local people.
“Our organisational values complement each other, so their vision for an inclusive and community facility naturally aligned with YMCA’s mission as a local charity, we can’t wait to begin this new chapter for our climbing wall with them.”
Dyer, co-founder of Youth Sports Innovations said: “We’re delighted that YMCA believed in our vision for ‘The Rock’ by putting inclusivity at its heart.
The Rock will be available to all including individuals, community groups, schools and businesses. We have a fantastic team and lots of great plans for this facility, so we’re very excited to hit the ground running and get climbing.”
Find out more about The Rock by following their Instagram at @therockplymouth or visiting www.ymcaplymouth.org.uk/climbing.