Climbing centre is thrown a lifeline with rescue package

THE troubled Ratho Adventure Centre has been saved from closure thanks to a rescue package.

The complex, which houses Scotland’s national indoor climbing centre and the headquarters of Scottish judo, went into receivership in March - just five months after opening at a cost of 20 million.

Developers Ratho Quarry Company had been backed by national sports agency sportscotland and Halifax Bank of Scotland, but could not contain soaring initial costs which went 8m over the initial 12m budget.

A spokesman for receivers Deloitte confirmed that an announcement will be made "within seven days" that the centre’s future had been secured, scotching rumours that the centre was to close completely. The identity of the new operators will be revealed at the same time, but it is not yet known how many of the centre’s 70-plus staff will keep their jobs.

Insiders say HBoS was determined to see the Adventure Centre continue. The bank is owed 12m and has continued to fund the centre’s ongoing operations despite losses admitted to be running at five figures per week.