Petition to bring climbing wall at Basildon Sporting Village back

A petition has now been launched to bring back the wall at Basildon Sporting Village next week, when the Covid restrictions ease in England.

But contractors Everyone Active has confirmed that despite indoor leisure centres being allowed to open from Monday, the climbing wall will stay shut.

The firm said it would not be “operationally viable” due to social distancing restrictions.

People who used the wall before the Covid pandemic said the community is “one of a kind” and that experienced climbers provide a “fountain of information” for newcomers.

Naimah Ahmed launched the petition on change.org and has since had nearly 100 signatures.

She wrote: “Many of us have conquered the fear of heights, become stronger and made achievements that we never thought we could.

“Different competitions have been held at the wall, bringing the community together on a personal level.

“If we lose our climbing wall, we’ll have nowhere to meet up as a community.

“Children will lose their clubs, the instructors will lose their jobs, and newcomers may never find their passion.”

Fellow climber Kirk Lovell said: “It’s more than just a wall, it’s a community, a social club, a gathering of friends allowing groups of all ages to come together. It’s a fountain of information passed on freely and willingly by experienced climbers that you can’t get in a book nor on YouTube.”

Shaun Beagle, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “After reviewing the government advice, unfortunately the climbing wall at Basildon Sporting Village will remain closed at this time.

“Due to the necessary social distancing measures in place, it is not yet operationally viable to re-open the climbing wall and all customers will be communicated to directly on this matter.

“We do appreciate that a number of customers will miss the climbing wall and we will be in touch with our members as soon as we have an update about its re-opening.”