Oxford Brookes university climbing centre expands to meet demand
Climbers in Oxford will be pleased to hear that the bouldering wall at the climbing centre at Oxford Brookes has doubled in size as part of a refurbishment to meet increased demand.
Bouldering is a free form of the sport which does not involve ropes or harnesses.
The centre now boasts new bouldering walls built in a former squash court within the Brookes Sport facilities on the University’s Headington campus. There are still squash courts at both of the Brookes Sport centres in Headington and Harcourt Hill.
Climbing centre manager Richard Cole said: "As climbing has gained popularity we have had to expand.
We’d already taken over a squash court to expand in 2009. In 2017, I had made a plan for further expansion. This was gathering pace until 2020 when Covid-19 hit and the work was delayed.
"The bouldering wall was 14-years-old and needed refurbishing so we’ve taken over another squash court to create a much bigger facility."
With between 5,000 and 6,000 visits a month, the centre, which now spans 750 square metres, is used by Oxford Brookes University’s climbing club and the University of Oxford’s mountaineering club.
The nearest alternative climbing facilities are in Reading and Bicester.
It is open to the public for casual climbers and hosts National Indoor Climbing Awards Scheme (NICAS) courses. Such schemes provide a starting point for people aged seven upwards to learn how to climb.
Brookes Climbing Academy, which provides climbing training for children aged six to 17, also takes place at the centre.
Visit Hampshire Biz News for bright, upbeat and positive business news from the county
