'Outrage' as climbing wall set to close

There has been "outrage" among climbers as a climbing wall is set to close after about 20 years.

The climbing wall at K2 Crawley will close on 31 March due in part to a continued decline in use and increasing costs, its operators say.

Simon Mutter, who is part of the Keep Climbing K2 Crawley group, says he feels "outrage" over the decision "because there's a really great community there and the decision has just been announced without anyone being informed or asked about it".

Crawley Borough Council (CBC) said the climbing wall had been been operating at a loss while Everyone Active, which runs the centre on behalf of the council, plans to open a soft play area in its place.

Everyone Active said: "The climbing industry has evolved significantly, with increased training requirements and rising equipment and maintenance costs making the long-term operation of the wall increasingly challenging."

The wall is set to be replaced with a soft play area, with work expected to start in early April.

Everyone Active said the soft play area would address a gap in K2 Crawley's offering to younger users.

"This change will enable us to better serve the wider community by providing a refreshed facility designed to meet growing demand for family-focused activities," the leisure contractor added.

Keep Climbing K2 Crawley is asking for the closure to be paused and for users to be consulted on the plans.

Mutter, who helped start the group which has more than 100 members, said: "The loss of the climbing centre is going to mean losing a really iconic and rare public facility.

"It's going to remove the only roped climbing wall between London and Brighton and eliminating access to an Olympic-level-ready speed-climbing wall."

Gary Marlow said he started climbing at the site more than 20 years ago and his 14-year-old daughter also used the wall.

"To have a climbing wall like that so close is a unique place and it is a travesty that the centre, without any consultation, has decided to just close and replace [it] with a soft play - which to be honest you can get anywhere," he said.

Keen climber Paul Thompson said he had also introduced his children to the sport.

"The climbing wall has become a huge part of our family life," he said.

"My daughter joined the NICAS [National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes] course at K2 just after turning seven and has been a regular for over four years, growing in confidence and making lasting friendships. My son followed last year when he turned seven.

"We will deeply miss our evenings together at K2."

The council said the climbing wall had seen less use in recent years as newer facilities opened nearby.

Regulations had also led to increased costs, it said.

There are now, according to the authority, fewer than 100 people taking lessons each week which had left it operating at a loss.

A spokeswoman said: "We understand the decision will be of disappointment to regular users we need to consider the wider needs of Crawley residents for family friendly facilities."

CBC has been contacted for a comment on the claims the public had not been consulted on the closure.

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