Milton Keynes Climbing Needs You!

Steve Mayers of the Beacon Climbing Centre relaxing at Gogarth, North Wales Jack Geldard - Editor - UKC © Jack Geldard

A new climbing wall proposed for Milton Keynes needs your help:

Big Rock Climbing Centre is a collaboration between Beacon Climbing in North Wales and some local climbers from Milton Keynes.

Steve Mayers from The Beacon explained:

"The aim is to build a climbing centre of national importance and create a friendly, professionally run centre with some fantastic indoor climbing. Terms have been agreed on a 1,500sqm unit in Kingston - that's conveniently opposite the giant Tescos and not far from the M1 for those that know the area."

However the final planning has yet to be agreed. Steve is looking for support:

"The project is currently at the planning stage and if you'd like to lend us your support, which could be crucial, then you can do it on line by following the link below."

• Support the Planning Application: publicaccess.milton-keynes.gov.uk
  
  

The centre will feature:

• 1200sqm of climbing initially and more to follow
• Several roped climbing areas with routes up to 11m long
• Huge bouldering area including some large freestanding boulders
• Dedicated group areas with a mini caving system & high ropes course
• Café, shop & meeting area
• Separate kid's climbing area

Do you have any suggestions for the design? What do local climbers want? The Beacon are interested:

"We are currently working on some exciting designs for the various sections of climbing wall and we'd really welcome your suggestions for the design process either through the UKC forum or by e-mail to steve [@] beaconclimbing.com. We are also keen to hear from local climbers who feel they might have something to offer whether you have building skills, instructor qualifications or you'd just like to get involved then please feel free to get in touch."

The centre is due to open in May/June 2010. The team hope to have a website up & running soon and will post updates on the project as well as plans and images of the wall designs on this UKC Permier Post.

Forums ( Read More... | 27 comments, 11 Jan 2010 ) Thanks again to everybody for their support. I've just counted that 72 people have been on to the Milton Keynes Council web site and made comments - which is a fantastic response. Hopefully only a few more weeks to go... Steve Mayers - 11 Dec 2009 I have added my support for the Centre with MK Council. For me getting up to Derbyshire with someone to climb is difficult and having this just 1/2 an hour away would be great ( I could get climb fit and just fitter... Richard Smith - 03 Dec 2009 Hi Ed thanks for posting your support with the planners. The main objections are mainly around loss of employment and parking, neither of which in reality are much (if anything) of an issue. I think we've put in as... Steve Mayers - 01 Dec 2009 I have duly completed the online form on the Planning website saying what a 'good thing' a climbing wall is - for young + old etc. I will keep an eye out on the application. Surely there is no adverse comment from the... epic ed - 01 Dec 2009 This would be an excellent asset to the place, frankly we need a decent climbing wall around this area, travelling to warwick once a week for my climbing fix is do-able but quite alot of effort, whereas having this... AlexLong - 29 Nov 2009 hope thsi works, I ( on behalf of MKMC) did a bit for Suga climb when they proposed a wall, even went to council hearings for them we failed as the planenrs werenot playign ball If you guys are readign theis and... Daithi O Murachu - 29 Nov 2009

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