Eastridge Rec Center

HRCA's climbing wall at Eastridge

The Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) runs a 30-foot climbing wall inside its Eastridge Rec Center on South University Boulevard. It has top-rope routes for beginners through to advanced climbers and a bouldering area, where white and grey lines mark how high boulderers may go. The wall is staffed during open climbing, and staff are on hand to belay.

Who can climb

HRCA's rec centres are for its members, who are Highlands Ranch homeowners and renters, and for the guests they sign in and pay for at the desk. Every climber first completes a 15-minute orientation, which starts on the hour, and signs a waiver each calendar year. Certifications are punched on members' recreation cards. Climbers must be at least five, and children 12 and under need a parent with them.

Sessions and lessons

• Open climbing: weekday afternoons and evenings, and weekend afternoons.
• Belay class: for climbers aged 13 and over who want to learn to belay.
• Advanced climbing: evening sessions for belay-certified climbers aged 13+ who climb 5.9 or harder.
• Private lessons: one-hour sessions on rope skills, technique and footwork, booked in advance.

Harnesses and belay devices are lent free at the equipment desk opposite the wall, and shoes are provided too. Climbing wall birthday parties for up to ten children run on Friday evenings and at weekends. Eastridge also has indoor and outdoor pools, a weights and cardio area, a fitness studio, a running track and sand volleyball courts.