After more than three years of dedicated campaigning, fundraising, and development, Scarborough has welcomed an exciting new addition to its recreational landscape. Street Rocks, an expanded indoor climbing facility operated by Coast and Vale Community Action (CaVCA), officially opened its doors on January 18, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the local climbing community and outdoor enthusiasts across the Yorkshire coast.
A Dream Three Years in the Making
The journey to bring Street Rocks to life has been anything but quick. What began as an ambitious vision to expand climbing opportunities in Scarborough required extensive planning, community support, and substantial investment. CaVCA trustees ultimately backed the project after witnessing the growing demand from the local climbing community, demonstrating the power of grassroots advocacy in making community dreams a reality.
Located at The Street on Lower Clark Street, Street Rocks represents a significant expansion of climbing facilities that were already proving successful in the area. The new facility is part of CaVCA’s broader vision to grow the rock climbing community along the Yorkshire coast, providing an accessible entry point for newcomers while serving the needs of experienced climbers.
World-Class Launch Event
The official opening couldn’t have been more impressive, featuring two of Britain’s most accomplished and respected climbers. Steve McClure, regarded as one of the most accomplished rock climbers in British history and renowned for his significant contributions to sport climbing, joined Franco Cookson for the VIP launch event. Their presence underscored the facility’s commitment to excellence and its potential to inspire climbers of all abilities.
The launch event wasn’t just about celebrating the facility’s opening—it was about welcoming people into what the climbing community describes as an inclusive and vibrant space designed to inspire more people to embrace this rewarding activity.
More Than Just a Climbing Wall
Street Rocks offers impressive facilities that cater to climbers across all skill levels and ages. The facility features a 14-meter roped climbing wall, a dedicated bouldering cave, and a 10-meter training wall. This variety ensures that whether you’re a complete beginner taking your first tentative steps up a wall or an experienced climber looking to push your limits, there’s something to challenge and engage you.
The facility welcomes climbers aged 7 to 70, with competent climbers able to sign in and supervise two other people, making it an excellent destination for families and groups. This inclusive approach reflects CaVCA’s commitment to building community connections through climbing.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Street Rocks offers free climbing taster sessions for people of all ages, removing barriers that might prevent newcomers from trying the sport. These sessions recognize that climbing can seem intimidating to outsiders, and by offering a no-pressure introduction, the facility opens its doors to a much broader community.
The Health and Wellbeing Benefits
The team behind Street Rocks understands that climbing offers benefits far beyond physical fitness. The facility promotes climbing as an activity that improves both physical health and emotional wellbeing, building resilience and fostering community connections. In an era where mental health awareness is increasingly important, having a local facility that combines physical challenge with community support represents a valuable resource for Scarborough residents.
Climbing inherently builds problem-solving skills, confidence, and mental resilience. Each route presents a puzzle to solve, requiring climbers to think strategically while managing their physical responses to challenge and height. These skills transfer well beyond the climbing wall, making the sport particularly valuable for young people and adults looking to build confidence and coping strategies.
A Hub for Community Building
Street Rocks isn’t operating in isolation—it’s part of The Street community center, which houses multiple community initiatives. The facility offers social climbing sessions, events, and club climbs, creating regular opportunities for the climbing community to connect and grow. These social aspects are crucial for beginners who might otherwise find climbing intimidating or for experienced climbers looking to share their passion with others.
The facility also provides space for demonstrations, courses, and events, making it a versatile community resource that can adapt to different needs and occasions. This flexibility ensures that Street Rocks can serve as more than just a climbing gym—it can host birthday parties, corporate team-building events, school groups, and specialized training sessions.
Looking to the Future
The opening of Street Rocks represents more than just a new recreational facility—it’s a testament to what communities can achieve when they work together toward a shared vision. The three-year journey from concept to reality demonstrates the dedication of CaVCA, the support of the local community, and the power of grassroots advocacy in creating positive change.
For Scarborough, Street Rocks adds another dimension to the town’s appeal as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. While the Yorkshire coast is already renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor opportunities—from coastal walks to traditional rock climbing on the region’s stunning cliffs—Street Rocks provides a weather-proof alternative that can operate year-round.
The success of Street Rocks also highlights the growing popularity of indoor climbing across the UK. For those inspired by Scarborough’s new facility who want to find climbing walls near them, there are now more options than ever before, with indoor climbing facilities opening in towns and cities nationwide.
The facility also has the potential to serve as a training ground for climbers who might eventually venture onto Yorkshire’s famous outdoor climbing areas, creating a pathway from indoor climbing to the region’s spectacular natural climbing opportunities.
Getting Involved
Street Rocks is now open and welcoming new members of all abilities. Whether you’re curious about trying climbing for the first time or you’re an experienced climber looking for a new indoor venue, the facility offers something for everyone. The free taster sessions remove financial barriers for those wanting to try the sport, while the range of walls and routes ensures that regular visitors will find ongoing challenges.
For a community that spent three years working toward this goal, the opening of Street Rocks represents not just the completion of a project, but the beginning of a new chapter in Scarborough’s recreational and community life. As more people discover the joys and benefits of climbing, this facility is likely to become a cornerstone of the local community, fostering friendships, building confidence, and proving that with determination and community support, ambitious dreams can become reality.
The climbing community that helped bring Street Rocks to life has created something special—a space where physical challenge meets community support, where beginners can take their first steps with confidence, and where the love of climbing can be shared across generations. For Scarborough, that’s something worth celebrating.