At the new YMCA Newark and Sherwood Activity Centre in Newark, the climbing centre is now taking shape and the scale of the space is coming to light. If you don’t like heights it will certainly not be the place for you!

With the ten ‘clip ‘n’ climb’ walls having been in since early this year, focus has been on installing the 15m high Olympic specification walls providing for the three competition needs; lead climbing, bouldering and speed climbing.

The village is about inclusion and opportunity for all ages and all abilities and the YMCA believe the climbing centre embodies that vision, as explained by YMCA’s Chief Operating Officer, Craig Berens; “You will be able to start as an absolute beginner — whether you are five or 50 — and keep training there up to Olympic standards.”