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The
new climbing wall at Tollymore Mountain Centre, situated on the edge of
the Mourne Mountains, had its official opening at the beginning of June.
The new wall, which stands in its own purpose building was built by the
M.C.I., with funding through grants from the Northern Ireland Sports
Lottery Fund, the Foundation for Arts and Leisure, Down District Council
and the Mourne Heritage Trust.
The wall, itself, was built by Livingstone who also built the Ozone wall
in Belfast. The wall comprises of a leading and bouldering areas. The
leading section is heavily featured, unlike the Ozone which comprises of
plain boards. Up to 40 routes and boulder problems are currently set,
mainly by English climber Nick Dixon.
The new wall also contains a viewing/ sitting area which overlooks the
leading section. Refreshments can also by purchase from the purpose build
reception. Climbers reactions to the wall have been positive and most feel
it will be a good compliment to the Ozone. The new wall is being called
Hot Rock and the admission price seems set around £3.50, those M.C.I.
Members have a reduced rate of £3.00.
Overall the wall should help provide a new focal point for Mourne climbers
and help re-fire major activity which seems to be slowly dying over the
last couple of years. The only fears some climbers have expressed is that
the wall may slowly be taken over by Tollymore to help take their courses
and climbers may be pushed to the side. This hopefully will not be the
case because the MCI own the Wall but employ Tollymore, through a
Management Agreement, to manage the wall on a day to day basis. The MCI
are completely satisfied that between themselves and Tollymore the Wall
will be operated and managed in a way which provides the best value and
benefit to all users of the HotRock Climbing Wall. The notion of
'climbers being pushed aside' should not arise.
click
here
for pics!
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