The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) in Ratho is getting a £400,000 upgrade to bring it up to international competition standard and to provide further facilities for all levels of experience.

Climbing wall manufacturer Entre-Prises has been appointed to build the new facilities, which are being jointly funded by contract management company, Edinburgh Leisure, and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothians.

The existing advanced climbing wall does not have a large enough overhang to attract competitions of an international standard and in addition to adding this feature, the upgrade will also create a new advanced difficulty wall that meets the standards of the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) as well as a speed climbing section adjacent to the existing wall.

In total the new facilities will provide 607 sq m (6.500 sq ft) of climbing space and will increase the line capacity by 20 per cent.

“The new wall will be one of the biggest cantilevered climbing walls in the world, and will also allow easier-angled climbing to be added when not being used for competitions,” explained Kevin Howett, development officer for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

In addition to increasing the range of competitions that the arena can host, 23 extra climbing lines have been added to accommodate beginners and intermediate climbers.

“Since opening, the demand for starter courses and beginners’ climbing has outweighed the amount of wall space suitable for this level of climber,” said Graeme Gardiner, manager of the EICA.

Construction is due to begin this June, and the new wall is expected to open in Autumn 2008.