A Hitchin climbing club has reopened after more than doubling the size of its climbing wall.
Climb Hitchin - based in the Priory School, Bedford Road - reopened on Monday (February 27), with 17 lines instead of seven.
The club had been closed for three weeks last month, while the additional 10 lines and climbing holds were added.
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1,000 new climbing holds, 1,200 bolts and 2,500 screws have been included.
The facility is North Hertfordshire's only public climbing wall, and is run by a group of volunteers.
These volunteers organised a 'Climb Everest' challenge, raising over £2,000 for the renovation.
On Monday night, the expanded wall was officially opened by Clare Bailey, the daughter of late Councillor Judi Billing MBE.
Cllr Billing sadly passed away last year, having championed Climb Hitchin since its inception in 2019.
Upon cutting the ribbon, Clare Bailey said her mother had been "incredibly proud of this project.”
She also added that the expanded wall "looks like an amazing piece of artwork, let alone an amazing opportunity for the adults and the children that are associated with Climb Hitchin".
Hannah Morgan-Gray, who founded Climb Hitchin along with her husband Ben, commented: “We worked tirelessly to raise the funds to double the size of our climbing wall, so it’s incredible to see it come to life.
“We’re so grateful for everyone who has supported the expansion from funders to our amazing volunteers.
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"Climb Hitchin is about using a fun sport to promote health, wellbeing, and community – we are very excited to welcome new climbers to our amazing new wall.”
A statement released by Climb Hitchin reads: "The wall expansion will allow Climb Hitchin to continue to support the community in promoting fitness and allowing more people to discover a new sport and a friendly climbing gym.
"Climb Hitchin and the wall’s expansion was made possible by CH supporters, Hitchin Youth Trust, The Priory School, Hertfordshire Community Foundation, Hertfordshire County Council, Hitchin Tilehouse Rotary Club, Alpkit Foundation and Cllr Judi Billing, Cllr Keith Hoskins, Cllr Richard Thake and Cllr Tina Bhartwas."
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