Gorey Skate Park turns 10 with creative exhibition
MEMORIES of the opening of the Gorey Skate Park in Gorey Town Park ten years ago were revived at a celebratory exhibition which ran in the foyer of Gorey Library last week.
Information on how the park came about in the first place was also part of the creatively staged exhibit which was officially opened last Tuesday. It was put together by Conor McDonald of the Gorey Town District Park art initiative, with the help of Conor Gibson, Mick Wall and Gorey Skate Club.
The event was part art exhibition and part skate park exhibition, and artist Conor McDonald even incorporated some performance art into it during its run.
One of the driving forces behind the skate park Grant Masterson paid tribute to all involved in the exhibit which looked back on the efforts involved in putting the skate club together, and the lobbying work done to get the skate park in place.
‘It’s a fantastic facility for the town, and still the only one in the county,’ he said. ‘It still gets used by all ages and abilities.’
‘With the plans for the redevelopment of the Town Park, we’re hoping they could extend the external area around the skate park, and move the fencing out,’ he added. ‘ The park helped bring the sport on. If you look at Zac Murphy, he was six when he started skating, and he’s now 16, and he’s probably one of the best skaters of his age in the town.’
‘When you put in facilities like that for the kids, they will use it, and they get better,’ he continued. ‘It’s somewhere to go, meet friends, and practice tricks.’
A tenth birthday celebration will be held in Gorey Skate Park on Tuesday, April 11, from 12 midday, the exact date and time that the then Minister Dick Roche cut the ribbon on the park ten years ago. The celebration jam will involve skateboard and BMX exhibitions, a barbecue, bands, and a DJ. All are welcome.
In the event of poor weather, the event will move to the Wreckless indoor skate park at Gorey Business Park. Funds will be raised on the day for Scott’s Recovery Fund. Skateboarder Scott Keegan from Dublin, who has skated in Gorey, has broken his neck and is paralysed at the moment. Funds are being raised to help with the renovation of his house.