In reply to DANNYdjb:
> (In reply to hexcentric) it came form the scotsman !!
Here's a response - also printed in the Scotsman
Published Date: 15 October 2009
I was extremely disappointed with many aspects of your report "Climbing centre hangs by thread as '£1,000-a-day' costs deemed too high" (10 October).
When Edinburgh Leisure took over the management of Edinburgh International Climbing Arena in 2005, the venue was making a loss of about £1.2 million a year. In 2008-09 the "loss" was approximately £670,000 and is anticipated to be around £500,00
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0 this year – a significant reduction by any standard.
You say: "Officials at Edinburgh Leisure ... face a race against time to persuade the council to offer the complex a lifeline" and: "The council is believed to be considering a string of options, including trying to find a private buyer, cutting its hours or closing it completely." Edinburgh Leisure has had no discussions regarding the sale of EICA, a reduction in hours or temporary closure.
The EICA offers world-class facilities and has reported a 14 per cent rise in usage and a 10 per cent rise in income this year compared to last year.
It recently achieved a five-star status by Visit Scotland, and was accredited as "The National Centre for Indoor Climbing" by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. This is a far cry from the position when the council bought the venue and EL started to manage it.
All of the above suggests the venue is far from "troubled". It is attracting increasing numbers of visitors and playing a key role in the provision of public leisure facilities to the people of Edinburgh. It is an expensive venue to operate, as are several other services managed by EL on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council. The EICA does not cover its operating costs. However, no direct subsidy is paid by the council to EL for this facility.
KEITH JACKSON
Chief executive, Edinburgh Leisure
Nicolson Street, Edinburgh