A doomed indoor climbing wall is set to be closed despite a petition highlighting what it means to the community.
The facility, based at the Harrow Council's sports complex in Christchurch Avenue, Wealdstone, is due to close on Sunday, and campaigners have failed to stall the despite urging the authority to reconsider.
Company Rock Frog operate the attraction, however their three month lease is not being renewed and the wall is set to be converted back into being a squash court as the current courts are being reduced for a new women-only gym, prompting a petition with over 600 signatures to be handed in at a council meeting by Independent Councillor James Bond on Thursday last week.
He said: "The impending closure of the climbing wall is based on a number of falsehoods and misleading information. These include a notion that a demand for squash courts is so great that any reduction in these facilities will prejudice squash players and their access to the appropriate courts."
Mr Bond also pointed out that the provision to play squash as your chosen sport will still be an option at Harrow Leisure Centre, and that the number of courts are simply being reduced.
He added: "I have made a number of visits to Harrow Leisure Centre and have yet to see every court fully booked out at any one time.
"This decision that appears to have been taken adds up to an appalling injustice. It is also wrong because it flies in the face of an equality of opportunity in the provision of sports for all sections of the community."
It is estimated that a £30,000 investment would be needed to replicate the existing facility elsewhere.
Keir Anderson, who has autism with dyspraxia, recently wrote to the Observer pleading for the attraction not to be closed.
He said: "In the past I attended there extremely frequently, and found it to be a very positive experience, being preferable to other forms of exercise due to the fact that it is not directly competitive in the same way as most sports, but still provided a social aspect.
"The fact that others may not get the opportunity to go climbing in that environment is deeply upsetting, and I sincerely hope that the decision to close it is reversed."
A spokeswoman from Everyone Active, who operate Harrow Leisure Centre on behalf of Harrow Council, said: “Harrow Council is working with the climbing wall company to find a new location for an improved climbing facility in the leisure centre. While this is going on, the council is looking into alternative arrangements for climbers in the local area."
