LA TROBE University has said its climbing wall is primarily for teaching students and not generally open to the public. 

The university's wall was one of two specifically designed for bouldering in Bendigo but will become the only operating one when the YMCA bouldering facility, Y Rock, is suspended at the end of April.

Outdoor and environmental education course co-ordinator Sean Murray said the Edwards Road facility was for training students at the university. 

There were several other suitable blue stone walls in public areas, but two current and former climbers told the Bendigo Advertiser they were unsure whether authorities would frown upon using them.

"It's a bit of a grey area, in whether we are supposed to be using it or not," local climber Adam Harrison said.

Options to climb the Y Rock before the public was barred would be limited, with the facility closed for two weeks from April 15 for staff holidays.

The final bouldering session would take place on April 30 before an indefinite break, Bendigo Regional YMCA CEO Jane Robson said.

Bouldering's popularity as a sporting movement had "exploded" in the past five years, well-respected climber Steve Morris he said.

"It's a cheaper form of the sport. You don't have to buy much gear. You only really need climbing shoes and bouldering pads," he said.

A suspension would be sad for Bendigo, Mr Morris said, because it would cut access to a community service.

The YMCA's bouldering walls were not the first part of the facility climbers had lost access to. Several years ago, the YMCA stopped people climbing a larger rock wall that required ropes and safety harnesses.

Reopening the larger wall would require a "significant investment" to make it complaint with current regulations, Ms Robson said.

There were no short term plans to upgrade the ageing facility, she said.

However, Ms Robson hoped that bouldering could continue once insurance was sorted.

"We understand that it (bouldering) is popular and supported. It is a great sport because it can be done by people of all ages. Our preference would be that the activity could continue," Ms Robson said.

She said anyone who wanted to receive updates should get in touch with the Bendigo Regional YMCA.

"We'll come back to people and give them some more information as soon as we can," Ms Robson said.

Earlier

MEMBERS of Bendigo's tight-knit climbing community have been left dangling by a decision to suspend bouldering at Tom Tweed Stadium's Y Rock.

The Y Rock's future is up in the air, with no plans to operate past the end of April.

Adam Harrison has been climbing at the facility for 22 years and had just begun taking his young daughters to the Y Rock when the announcement was made.

"It's our little thing to do, me and the girls. So they are going to be devastated that we can't go now," he said.

Options for climbers were limited in Bendigo. The only other wall available was at La Trobe University, which Mr Harrison did not go to because of uncertainty about whether it was available to the public or students only.

The suspension, which was announced in a letter this week by the Bendigo Regional YMCA, came after it announced a merger with YMCA Victoria.

Related: Bendigo Regional YMCA to merge with YMCA Victoria

The merger process did not currently include the transfer of the operation of indoor bouldering at the Tom Tweed Stadium, Bendigo Regional YMCA CEO Jane Robson wrote.

"The future of bouldering at the YMCA has not been determined however will be affected by changes in insurance cover and therefore will not operate for an indefinite period, from April 30, 2019," she wrote.

Palmers Gym leased the Tom Tweed Stadium and Ms Robson wrote that there would be no change to their operations.

"We understand that the suspension of access to bouldering will be disappointing to users," she said.

Mr Harrison hoped a solution could be found.

"It's a growing sport. We've gone from average numbers on a Tuesday night - six or seven people - to 20 in the last couple of months," he said.

Sports climbing was set to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo next year, which Mr Harrison said had likely helped increase interest.

"It's an amazing social thing to do. I know it's been used as a way to battle anxiety and depression. And it's good fun," he said.

More to come.

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