The Pickaquoy Centre Trust has appointed Dream Climbing Walls Ltd to develop a new climbing wall and bouldering wall following a grant award of £146,864 from the Big Lottery (Community Spaces).

The total surface of the main wall is approximately 235sqm with a maximum height of 9100mm. The wall will be located in the Centre's multi purpose sports hall and will be available at specific times. However, increasing the Centre's opening hours will help to accommodate the anticipated demand.

The relocation of a soft play has provided the opportunity to develop a bouldering wall and this will be available for use throughout the Centre's opening hours. With a maximum height of 3000mm, it will provide a 360° climbing room.

The Trust has worked closely with Orkney Climbing Club and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Orkney Islands Council in developing the specification for the walls.

General Manager of The Pickaquoy Centre, Mark Harrison, said: "Climbing has become increasingly popular across all age ranges in Orkney and these new walls will provide an amazing opportunity to increase participation, improve access and develop the sport at all levels."

Orkney Climbing Club Chairman, Don Husband commented on the project: "Orkney Climbing Club have been chasing funding for a new indoor wall for approximately nine years, and over the last two years we have worked closely with The Pickaquoy Centre to bring this to fruition. Interest in climbing has been growing in the last couple of years and this state of the art wall will build on this growing sport, and provide a training, coaching and teaching facility for climbers of all ages."

The eight week installation programme is scheduled to start in August and be completed in October 2012.