Finding the right climbing wall builders for the job
Indoor climbing has become incredibly popular in the UK in recent years. Many people visit climbing centres each week, enjoying the chance to build their strength, work new muscle groups, get a full-body workout, and improve their focus and mental wellbeing.
Most climbing centres also have a great community feel and social aspect – enhanced by on-site cafés and relaxed seating areas.
The popularity of indoor climbing has reached even greater heights after Sport Climbing made its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
With rope climbing, bouldering and even ice-climbing centres popping up around the country, climbing wall installation companies are in high demand. Anyone looking to break into this growing market needs to have a great climbing wall fit-out company on board – one who can successfully manage the project from start to finish.
We specialise in building bouldering centres and have completed many projects across the UK. Wondering what you need to look for in your fit-out team? Here’s an insight into the process of building a great climbing centre – and advice on what your fit-out contractor should be equipped to offer.
Choosing the right space
The first step will be finding a unit of a suitable size and especially, a suitable height. For a bouldering centre, 4m walls are standard, so the space needs to meet or exceed that. You’ll also need to secure planning permission and prove that you will comply with Building Control regulations – including fire escape routes and emergency lighting and signage.
Don’t forget to consider customer parking.
Your fit-out contractor should be able to advise you whether a unit will be suitable, to help you avoid any costly mistakes.
Building the walls
Constructing the walls for a climbing centre requires a structural engineer, so ensure your contracting company has one on board – or has trusted structural engineers that they work with on a regular basis. Typically, the holds are fitted onto a ply wall – it’s vital that the loading must be structurally approved. Many types of ply are not suitable, so you’ll need to consult with experts.
Walls will also need a fireproofing treatment and must comply with Part II fire safety regulations and testing methods.
Your building team won’t usually fit the climbing holds themselves – you’ll need to hire a professional route setter for that.
Protecting against falls
Climbing without ropes comes with the risk of falling, and bouldering centres are required to install crash mats to protect their visitors. These must be at least a standard thickness of 200mm.
Lighting and power distribution
Ask your fit-out contractor about power distribution and lighting plans. Lighting within bouldering centres must adhere to certain lux levels. A good leisure facility contracting company with work closely with specialist lighting designers, and emergency lighting specialists to ensure your lighting system is compliant, and looks great.
Climbing hold cleaning considerations
A hidden area for high-pressure cleaning equipment is a requirement of every indoor climbing centre. Holds must be regularly removed and cleaned to get rid of chalk residue and maintain a rough surface. This makes sure that visitors can grip safely, and chalk build-up does not cause the holds to become slippery.
Your fit-out contractor should be able to advise and source the right cleaning machinery.
Adding a café
Adding a café to your climbing centre is a great way to add a new revenue stream, giving visitors a space to socialise and refuel. However, it also brings a whole host of new compliance considerations to your project. Make sure your building team are experienced in installing safe food preparation and cooking areas.
Your fit-out contractor should know what building regulations you will need to follow – and how they change depending on the food and drinks you intend to sell. Deep fryers, for instance, require additional safety considerations. That means you’ll need to consider your menu before your contractor can draw up plans for your café.
They should also advise you on waste management solutions, ensuring an easy route outside to deposit waste and recycling.
All the other necessities
The reception area, changing rooms, showers and toilets, shoe and harness rooms and merchandise areas. Your contractor should be considering it all, advising you on the right materials to use throughout, and be committed to installing everything to a high finish. Before you choose your contractor, head to their website, and take a look at some of their case studies of previous projects – here’s one of ours. They should have lots of designs and builds that they’re proud to show off!
If you would like to talk about planning, design, refurbishment and builds, we’d love to hear from you. We’re based in West Sussex, but we complete projects all over the UK. Contact us via email, or give us a call on 01403 586062 for a no obligation chat with a member of our team.