A campaign has been launched to save a climbing wall which is under threat as part of the proposed £19m Sands Centre redevelopment.

Enthusiasts say the popular facility is the only one of its kind in the Carlisle area, and has helped nurture young climbers who otherwise would have to travel to Kendal or Newcastle to use a comparable wall.

Smaller climbing walls are available in Penrith and Keswick.

An online petition set up by climbing activist Pete Gunn has already garnered support from nearly 800 people.

In a statement, Pete says of the proposal to ditch the climbing wall as part of the Sands Centre redevelopment: “This will be a huge loss to the city and to the ever-growing climbing community.

“It is currently open to the public seven days a week and offers after-school climbing sessions for both children and adults, which continue to be very popular and have run for over 25 years.

“Carlisle will then become one of few cities in the country not to have a lead climbing wall.”

Among those who have spoken against closing the wall is Andrew Kinnersley, whose 11-year-old daughter Lily was recently selected for the country’s GB Development Team.

That selection is the first step on the climb to excellence that could see her one day represent her country.

A passionate climber since the age of six, and having already won numerous awards, Lily is a regular user of the Sands Centre wall.

Andrew, from Moorside Drive, Carleton Grange, said: “She always did bouldering [climbing without ropes or harnesses]to a very high standard, but to compete she had to learn to climb with ropes.

“She’s been going to the Sands Centre on average once a week to do that. The nearest alternative wall where she can do that is in Penrith.

“But her climbing sessions can go on for two or three hours so having to travel outside of Carlisle would mean her getting home even later than now.”

Andrew said it made no sense to close the wall at a time when the sport was growing in popularity.

“It’s an Olympic sport now, so it’s going to take off hugely in the future. It’s a really healthy sport for young people and other places are embracing it. It would be a big loss.”

Carlisle City Council wants to build a new eight-lane 25-metre pool along with a learners’ pool and spectators gallery; a four-court sports hall and gallery and a 120-station fitness suite; two dance and exercise studios, and a dedicated spinning studio.

The current sports hall - which doubles as an 1,800-capacity concert venue – would be revamped into a dedicated auditorium.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: “Prior to putting in place a draft design, we looked at the usage of the existing facilities available within the leisure centre.

“This is to ensure the new site provides facilities that meet the needs of the users. However, the final design will take on board the comments received through the consultation process and we welcome responses from existing and potential new users of the site.”

The public consultation event will be held at The Sands Centre (Eden Suite) on Friday, between 1.30pm and 7pm.

Pete Gunn’s petition can be found at http://bit.ly/2zuYbWP