Plans to ditch climbing wall and create a larger soft play area at a leisure centre unveiled

The change is proposed by Everyone Active, which runs Fareham Leisure Centre, because it says the Top Rock Climbing Wall is “underused” and losing money. Instead it proposes to repurpose the area, spending £200,000 to create a larger soft play area to attract more toddlers and young children.

Members at a Fareham Borough Council leisure and safer communities advisory panel were asked for their views on the new plans.

Council officer Emma Bowler said: “The climbing wall has 8,000 visitors each year and that falls short of the 15,000 visitors needed to make it financially viable.

“The current soft play area attracts 23,000 visitors which the club’s operator aims to increase to 45,000 each year.

“The climbing wall was installed in 2021 but has been losing money for the last four years.”

Councillor Louise Clubley (Con, Uplands and Funtley) said she is disappointed at the proposal. Residents she had spoken to prefer the wall at Fareham rather than other climbing walls nearby such as Red Spider Climbing and Rock Up at Whiteley Shopping Centre. She was also concerned about the lack of parking if the centre reached its expected visitor numbers where potentially 60 more cars per day would need parking.

Councillor Lisa Birkett (Con, Fareham Park) said the loss of the wall would mean there was nothing for older children, with the soft play catering for over-threes to 10-year-olds. The soft play caters for the over three-year-olds to 10. While the climbing wall caters from four-year-olds to adults.

The leisure centre has seen a huge increase in footfall since Everyone Active took it over but not the climbing wall, said Mrs Bowler. Most committee members were happy to endorse the proposal.

Councillor Chrissie Bainbridge (Lib Dem, Portchester Castle) asked if Everyone Active might start a car share scheme to ease travel costs for families. Operator Everyone Active will make the final decision.