Sites being examined for skatepark in Bray
A SKATEBOARD park may become a reality in Bray, with members looking at sites for such a facility.
At last Tuesday’s meeting of Bray Municipal District, members heard that Wicklow County Council wishes to develop a skatepark in the area, with facilities already in place in Greystones, Wicklow, Blessington and Arklow.
Members discussed a number of potential sites – the seafront, north of Barracuda; People’s Park, east of the playground and close to the pavilion building; Bray Head by Naylor’s Cove; and Ballywaltrim, to the rear of the Community Centre.
The proposed size of the park would be in the region of 400 to 1,000 square metres.
In a series of votes, members eliminated the seafront, Ballywaltrim and Bray Head. However, they said that People’s Park is not necessarily the final decision with the matter still open for suggestions.
Cllr Michael O’Connor said that a lot of young people have been looking for this for a long time.
Cllr John Ryan said that it is essential to get the choice of location right.
Cllr Joe Behan said that skateboarding enthusiasts had made a very strong argument at a presentation they gave to the members. ‘I agree we should do it but we have to do so in a way in which it will be a success.’
He suggested taking a look at the area north of the harbour. While the engineer said that there is only a narrow strip there owned by the council, Cllr Behan asked that they look at it in any case.
Once a location is decided upon, designs will be drawn up and sent out for public consultation.
Cllr Pat Vance said that the people who made the presentation to the members had been ‘sold a pup’ when they came to speak to members.
‘ They were given an indica- tion that a skatepark was on the cards,’ said Cllr Vance. ‘I told one of them privately that it wouldn’t be delivered. Someone went and had pictures taken with them. It was always going to be a controversial problem. No matter where it goes it’s going to be controversial. When it does happen, a number of members will be jumping up and down saying they didn’t want it in the first place.’
He said that the users should be shown respect. ‘ They are the people that use it, and they know what should and shouldn’t be going in.’
The councillors expect to make a decision on a site in September. A BENCH warrant was issued at the Enniscorthy sitting of Gorey District Court last Wednesday for the arrest of Daisy Duggan (40), of Ballyboo, Churchill Road, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
She failed to appear to answer multiple motoring charges incurred at Ballydermot, Gorey, on September 6, 2015, including: driving without insurance, a licence or an NCT; failing to produce any of these; non-display of a disc; and speeding.