My local wall at which I also route set and instruct, is a DR wall of approx 20 years vintage. It comprises sculptured fibreglass and plywood panels attached to a substantial steel frame, with the belay anchors and quickdraw anchors attached directly to the steel frame. At the last annual inspection by an independent specialist, a section of the wall was taken out of service because it has a ledge 2 metres up that was deemed dangerous, the rationale being that if a climber fell onto the ledge they could hurt themselves. This hasn't happened during the whole time the wall has been open but I guess as experience grows with climbing walls they need to be made as safe as possible....
This section of the wall comprises a quarter of the total climbing area so it's loss is appreciable. There have been discussions about replacing this section but I am fairly sure the whole wall was craned into the space in sections before the roof went, on so it's removal and replacement is problematic. It would seem the only way to remove it is to cut it up into small sections as it would have to pass through a double width doorway. Not surprisingly the quotes to do this have been very high.
This whole section of the wall has a substantial steel frame with the whole climbing surface being fibreglass panels. It occurred to me that it could be possible to cut up and remove the fibreglass panels leaving the steel frame in situ. It would then be relatively straightforward to cut and weld additional box section pieces onto the frame such that plywood panels could be attached as they need a flat surface.
Does anybody have experience of doing this type of work and thus be able to comment or know of a firm or company who we might approach to see if it's feasible ? Thanks