Cardigan Climbing Wall - Y Wal
Cardigan, Sir Ceredigion, United Kingdom
Aim
Help us build a community-run climbing and bouldering centre in Cardigan. A place for all ages and abilities to climb, meet & grow together.
Why a wall in Cardigan?
A climbing wall gives Cardigan's young people and elders a positive, social way to meet and get stronger together. We believe climbing should be accessible and affordable for everyone in our community, so this will be a non-profit, 100% community-focused adventure hub.
Beginners and seasoned climbers will share the space, each with a wall that challenges them, and each able to connect, grow stronger, and inspire others.
This is what you have told us so far:
“This would be a brilliant addition to Cardigan, our children need something to do. Since moving to Wales, my kids have struggled with joining clubs because it's either football or rugby... they don't like contact sports but have missed out on positive, compassionate and confidence building from community services and that generation needs it. My partner, me and my kids would all join!”
“There is a large home-education community in the area that would really benefit from a weekly meet up/bouldering session as there is a district lack of spaces to hire or at least meet with kids indoors.”
“This is very exciting, climbing is something I’ve always wanted to try but with no local option I’ve not been able to”
“Good luck, this is awesome as an asset to the town. Great inclement weather activity to make the town more interactive in the winter”
Who are we?
We are a group of climbers, parents and adventurers, based in the Cardigan area. The project was started by Mark Thomas, International Mountain Guide, and supported by other local climbers, parents and adventurers; it is growing rapidly in momentum to include many more community members.
Our website is www.cardiganclimbing.org
Why are we crowdfunding?
Climbing walls are costly bits of kit to build, insure and maintain. Our bouldering and climbing wall, with additional kids area, events space, micro-gym and facilities is estimated to cost around £150,000 - £200,000.
This is where we need your help. In parallel with private investment and grants, we aim to raise £30,000+ from the community to get the first phase of the wall off the ground.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Phase A - Zones 1 and 2
The first phase of the climbing wall will be more than 40 linear metres of 24/7 self-access bouldering rooms, along with a warm-up area, training board and hopefully an app-driven "Moonboard". To build the bouldering zones, we need:
- Renovation, toilets, access control and area prep - £10,000
- Plywood, grip-paint and zillions of fixings - £6,000
- Climbing holds (around 2,000) - £15,000
- Crash matting (around 100m2) - £24,000
- Moonboard - £5,000
Total £60,000
Note that we've not included labour costs here. We've had such a strong response from the community with offers of volunteer time that we aim to have phase A completed with your help and minimal professional fees.
Phase B - Zones 4 and 5
Once we've completed the bouldering areas, we'll open the wall to members! Then we'll start working on the Kids' bouldering zone and social / hangout space. Estimated costs are:
- Ply, holds, paint etc - £10,000
- Matting - £7,000
- Sofas, chairs, tables, film screen etc - £5,000
Total £22,000
Phase C - Zone 3
Next will be the ropes wall. This is a bigger spend for which we are applying for grants. Many of the grants rely on us completing a strong community fund raise first (phase 1).
Estimated cost £60,000 - £80,000
Community impact
Y Wal is going to be far more than just a bouldering and climbing centre. It's going to be somewhere for people to meet, to socialise, to feel safe, to get exercise all year round, and for you, the community, to use for your own events.
- Got hectic kids that need to let off steam on a weekend or in the holidays?
- Want your family get exercise and enjoy doing something together?
- Looking to meet other people like you in a friendly, sociable space?
- Training to get stronger so you can climb harder routes?
- Learning climbing for the first time?
- Aiming to improve your balance and strength?
- Want to run a club, a film night, or an event in Cardigan?
We'll have kids clubs, corporate sessions, an easy and gentle bouldering group for those wanting to retain or regain mobility, sessions for schools, slots for birthday parties, training for beginners, coaching for improvers, hardcore training areas for serious climbers, and even a hang-out area if you just want to come and be somewhere with other people.
We want Y Wal to be there for you, whoever you are.
How you can play your part
There are three simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout-out! We also have more significant sponsorship and branding opportunities not listed on this page - get in touch.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th November 2026 at 2:00pm