<p>So I just read another reference to “fancy schools with climbing walls” and I’m a bit perplexed. Are there parts of the country where climbing walls are rare and elite things? Heck - local community center has a climbing wall and certainly the State U has one if not more. How did the climbing wall get to be the symbol of cushy extras at college? Certainly they are cheaper than a pool to build and maintain.</p>
<p>We saw them at most schools we toured. Maybe they are talking about high schools?</p>
<p>I don’t think of them that way, Sainfan, but if a college has one it might indicate that the school chose to invest a certain amount of money in it relatively recently. I don’t remember them being around much years ago. There have been so many budget cuts going on for the last number of years at various state universities that there could be objections to that. </p>
<p>My daughter attended a k-12 school with a climbing wall. It also had a black box theatre.
Parent & student fundraising paid for both over the years.
( also parent sweat equity built the playground, after the district fell down on maintenance)</p>
<p>Most of the elementary schools in my suburban Seattle district have climbing walls.
When I was at UW, intramural athletics included such things as aerobic dance. They now have a climbing wall - one of my daughter’s friends was a coach/mentor. I wish I’d had the opportunity to learn climbing back then.
Typically, there’s a fee for intramurals and such which should cover the costs.
Some areas of the country consider them to be luxuries, and thus a waste of money. Private bathrooms are luxuries, IMO. </p>
<p>Climbing walls are inexpensive and build strength. Many kids that would not lift weights would go to a climbing wall.</p>
<p>Some of the things on college campuses are serious luxuries, like hot tubs, and I agree private bathrooms. A climbing wall, I think, is more of a necessity!</p>