The Richmond Olympic Oval’s climbing wall is reaching new heights in more ways than one.
Upgrades will make it Metro Vancouver’s first and only speed wall — opening the door for the facility to host international events.
Sport climbing will be debuting at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"Our current climbing wall has three sections – eight metres; 10 metres; and 13 metres – that will be extended to 15 metres tall across all sections. Elements of the existing wall are being incorporated into the wall expansion,” explained the Oval’s Program Manager, Marketing Brianna Fee.
“It has become a popular feature at the Oval, seeing increased participation by recreational and competitive users in the community. The additional routes and capacity created by the expansion will permit more people on the wall and allow for a greater variation that will appeal to novice and intermediate climbers, as well as international caliber athletes.”
The Oval will be hosting Sport Climbing B.C.’s 2020 Spring Cling Provincials April 10-11, as well as Climbing Escalade Canada’s Lead and Speed Nationals, May 16-18.
“This demonstrates the added benefit it will bring to the Oval and City by attracting visitors and major competitions,” added Fee.
