In Saint-Étienne, Climb Up paves the way for climbers

On August 24, a climbing room covering more than 1,800 square meters will open its doors in Saint-Étienne. Climb Up also wants to be a place of life, in which amateur and experienced climbers rub shoulders in a friendly atmosphere. A project led by Catherine Salciccia, herself a climber, and who wanted to offer an indoor spot to Stéphanois.

Formerly a corporate lawyer, Catherine Salciccia is above all a climber. Her spouse being from Stéphanois, both quickly realize that there is no indoor offer on site. ” When the weather conditions do not allow you to practice climbing outdoors, you have to go to Lyon. There are even people who make the trip from Haute-Loire ”. This is where the project to open a room begins to germinate.

However, both know François Petit well, founder of Climb Up which has 29 rooms in France, itself several times world climbing champions. ” I wanted to create a climbing gym but I couldn’t see myself doing that as a freelancer”. She submits the idea to François Petit who already had in mind to open in Saint-Étienne. This is how the group’s second franchise will see the light of day on the Bénévent esplanade, behind the Geoffroy Guichard stadium.

Climbing for all

« These are rooms that are designed to be open to everyone, regardless of level, age (from 4 years old, editor’s note), aptitude too because there are courses for people with disabilities, and for all audiences. It is something important. The idea is for it to be a place of life where you come to climb, then have a sauna, and meet your friends over a drink”. Indeed, the room will also offer a bar and snack offer made from local products.

The Saint-Etienne room, designed within a historic building, has the particularity of being bathed in light, which is rather rare in this type of structure. Several routes are open to climbers, ranging from 12 to 17.5 meters high, with or without slope (inclined wall), for difficulties ranging from 4 (for beginners) to 8 (for professional climbers). An adventure course is also available with a zipline of no less than 55 meters, as well as a bouldering section.

2 million euros of investment

The opening is scheduled for August 24 with nine employees, including eight full-time equivalents. To do this, Catherine Salciccia had to invest 2 million euros, solely from private funds. ” We have a capacity of 250 people, knowing that there are 180 routes. Access here is very easy. There is a large car park, the tram, the motorway not far away and the halls bring together many disciplines with soccer, padel and karting. » Several formulas will be offered to climbers and neophytes alike, with or without subscription, with lessons or independently. An inauguration evening will be organized on Thursday, September 8 with a climbing competition on site, in the presence of the local champion, Anouck Jaubert.

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