Reviving the National Ice Climbing Centre as a world class sport facility and vibrant community hub with cafè, soft play and community room, fuelling connection and opportunity across Lochaber.
Estimated Price
1200000
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1. What do you want to do? (Activities requiring funding)
We aim to regenerate the National Ice Climbing Centre in Kinlochleven and operate it as a community-led social enterprise (CIC), combining a nationally significant sports facility with a year-round community hub. The project will restore a much-loved local asset, create sustainable employment, and establish an important Highland visitor attraction delivering long-term social and economic benefit for Lochaber.
The Centre will be home to the UK’s only indoor ice climbing wall, alongside bouldering and dry-tooling facilities, supported by guided experiences, training programmes, youth clubs, memberships, and group bookings. Sport-specific infrastructure will be funded through other sources (including Sportscotland).
This funding application focuses specifically on the development of community and social spaces, which are essential to the Centre’s financial sustainability and community impact:
Installation of a new community café and commercial kitchen
Creation of a soft play facility (currently lacking in South Lochaber)
Development of a flexible community activity / function room
These spaces will operate year-round, hosting local meetings, classes, events, co-working, and wellbeing activities. The café will provide a warm, welcoming space for residents and visitors, including those experiencing fuel poverty or social isolation. The building will celebrate Kinlochleven’s industrial and mountaineering heritage through displays and installations. All surplus income will be reinvested locally.
2. Why is the project important for your community?
This project directly responds to priorities identified in the Lochaber and Kinlochleven Local Place Plans and extensive community consultation. Both plans highlight gaps in services outside Fort William, including the lack of indoor recreation, safe social spaces, wellbeing provision, and training or employment opportunities.
As part of the Kinlochleven Place Plan process, every household was consulted. 175 residents attended the village ideas day, with further engagement through local schools. Reopening the Ice Climbing Centre ranked 7th out of 33 community priorities.
Our own engagement includes interviews with over 30 local residents, a focus group for community organisers, and ongoing events, including a youth engagement session planned for 27 February 2026. We are working closely with Kinlochleven Community Trust, presenting our plans at their AGM and exploring joint initiatives to ensure strong local ownership.
20% of residents prescribed medication for anxiety or depression (NHS Stepping Stones)
16% population decline (2011–2020), including a 25% reduction in children
Closure of key services following the Ice Factor’s closure, contributing to wider economic decline
By restoring the Centre, we will create stable employment, skills pathways, wellbeing opportunities, and a family-friendly, all-weather hub that complements existing provision.
3. What positive impact will your project have?
Employment & Skills
Creation of 12.5 FTE jobs paid at Real Living Wage
Two apprenticeships per year in climbing and hospitality (from Year 2), offering real skills, wages, and career pathways for young people
Young People
Inclusive, affordable climbing from age 4+, including after-school clubs, holiday camps, and a Youth Climbing Club
Targeting a 50% increase in youth participation within two years
Funded places for low-income families and adapted sessions for additional needs
Partnerships with schools, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh, and community groups
Inclusion & Wellbeing
Women-only sessions and mentorships
Adaptive climbing and sensory-friendly provision for disabled people
Social and wellbeing activities for older adults to reduce isolation
Inclusive policies and facilities welcoming people of all identities
Wider Impact
Attract 10,000 visitors in year one, generating up to £6.135m for the local economy
A replicable model of sustainable tourism, reinvesting visitor income into community benefit
Strengthened pride of place through celebration of local heritage
4. Key milestones achieved and next steps
Achieved
Strong community engagement through Place Plans and consultations
Formation of a highly experienced board with national expertise and local leadership
Proven market demand based on the former Ice Factor’s commercial success
Business case developed and externally assessed
Runner-up in the Social Innovation Challenge
Heads of Terms agreed with Kinlochleven Community Trust
Plans and drawings completed; tender process via Public Contracts Scotland
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