Plans continue for new Inverness leisure attraction despite coronavirus outbreak
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The team behind ambitious plans to develop a new climbing and sports centre at Inverness Marina is determined to press on with the project.
Detailed work on the long-planned £3 million Ledge Climbing Gym was set to begin this week.
The flagship project, which will be suitable for climbers of international standards as well as people whose lives could be improved from participating in the activity, already has planning permission and was expected to open by next spring.
The centre will be built on a site owned by Scotlog Sales and will also include a gym, fitness room and yoga space as well as changing facilities, a soft play area, café bar and informal meeting space plus a function suite. It is set to create up to 46 jobs of which 26 will be sports-related and is expected to draw in at least 50,000 visitors a year.
Outdoor enthusiast and TV presenter Duncan McCallum, who is involved in the venture, said under the current circumstances it could be delayed although he remains positive it will still go ahead – a stance which has been welcomed by city business leaders.
The Ledge charity, which will run the climbing arena, is continuing its search for new volunteer trustees for the board to ensure it goes in the right direction and the professional skills are there to support the management and design teams.
It is seeking applications from individuals with experience in finance and accountancy, charity governance and third-sector fundraising, project management and legal and contractual skills.
“We are about to move into the next stage of detailed design, development and construction,” he said.
“Normally that would be a 52 to 56-week programme. We have no idea how coronavirus is going to affect that.
“We hope that it will not be delayed by too much. We are still extremely hopeful it will be opening earlier next year rather than later. We are remaining optimistic.”
The Ledge will include an indoor climbing wall with high ropes, fun climbing areas and bouldering spaces.
It will cater for elite climbers and others with specific needs such as disabled people, young people at risk, those feeling isolated and people from remote and small communities.
The project also aims to encourage people to take up mountain-based sports by funding training, equipment purchase, payment for guides and external teaching and instructor services.
It has secured funding from organisations such as Sportscotland, the Scottish Government, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and private funding and loans but the planned launch of a crowdfunding campaign to enhance the facilities has been delayed.
“The crowdfunding is to make the project as good as it possibly can be,” Mr McCallum said. “But we have decided to put it on hold as we didn’t think we could ask people for cash at the moment when they are trying to look after themselves and their families.”
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of the Inverness Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged it was a difficult time for the construction and building industry but said it was important to look ahead with projects such as The Ledge and be in a position to press on as quickly as possible when restrictions are lifted.
“This is a positive thing for both the organisation and the city,” he said.
“It is important that we press on as best we can with projects like this under the circumstances because we will get through this.”
n Anyone keen to become a trustee should be email duncan@theledgeinverness.com by 5pm today.
