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Vic Ranges - Another Steep Price Increase 7-Jan-2004 At 1:44:15 PM The Elk

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Personally:

I have been climbing at Vic Ranges for the last 7 years.... and I for one have noticed a MASSIVE change happen over the last 6 months, or even the last year and a half.

In that time the gym has hosted the ACGA Nationals, 2 Vic Titles events (which were all set by volunteers AND paid staff) they are looking at holding the State Titles again this year, and quite frankly, the routes (maybe not in the bouldering area recently) have been changed a lot more than in previous times. These events do a lot for the image of the gym and gives good reason for improvements.

The gym actually has climbers working there now, which up unitl about 6 months ago was practically un-heard of..... and the belay techniques shown by new climbers was enough to scare you sensless.

In the last few months I've found that the staff have been wandering around more watching climbers and checking up on safety.

There's a lot of things you DON'T see. Behind the scenes stuff, T-bolts getting replaced etc.

And if you have a look near the notice board at the entrance/exit you'll find a list of what is happening at the gym in 2004.... One of which is a new bouldering wall. These things all cost. If we want some good facilities we've gotta pay.... give a little get a little.

Over the last few years all I've heard are complaints about the gym, broken things, bad mats, lack of new routes.... Now things are happening people! I'll pay the price if I get the new routes, the better service I've been getting lately..... Plus there's a pro shop opening up there, and the new building at the entrance.... it's storage as well as staff area. and if you'd ever seen the dismal space they had you'd understand the small extension.

I've been waiting years for good things to happen at this gym and I'm buggered if I'm gonna walk away from it now.

elk