Renovation of the town park causes tempers to flare
THE PLANNED redevelopment of New Ross town park saw a row break out at last Wednesday’s meeting of New Ross Municipal District.
Ger Mackey of Wexford County Council said that the council has four destination playgrounds in its control including New Ross town park. He said that between now and 2022 the council will begin a rolling programme of refurbishment and upgrade which will involve a whole site approach involving refurbishment and enhancement works.
Mr Mackey said that the county’s playground strategy had been devised to ensure that young people were well catered for.
He said it is planned to have public consultation and seek the views of youth groups in the district. ‘We are hoping to be on the ground in 2018’, he said.
Cllr Michael Whelan said that there was a big gap in the Ross district between New Ross and Duncannon with no free playgrounds between the two areas.
Cllr Anthony Connick welcomed the planned works and said he hoped THE ACOUSTICS in the chamber of the Tholsel came under fire at last Wednesday’s meeting of New Ross Municipal District.
Cllr Larry O’Brien said ‘ I’m in that kind of humour today and being off the to see a skate park being included in the revamp saying it was long overdue. Cllr Michael Sheehan said there was already skate park plans compiled. ‘I hate to be the devil’s advocate’, said Cllr Larry O’Brien ‘ but I’m not overly impressed. The politics that was in this chamber for years is gone but this is the first time I’m hearing about a skate board park. I know nothing about it and I’d like to hear more about it. There seems to be a them and us attitude here. I heard Mr Mackey speaking about playgrounds in other areas where communities are fundraising for them but yet we are being asked to pay for this. If you are living out the country you have to fund your own playground but in the town you are looking for it for nothing. Come on lads! ‘ Mr Mackey said that it was recognised that destination parks in towns had an economic benefit to the area. ‘I don’t want to start a row’, said Cllr O’Brien ‘ but I want fairness for everyone. Everyone is entitled to the same thing. Just because you live within the 30km limit you seem cigarettes isn’t helping but I have to say this. It’s a wonder that anyone can hear each other in here. It’s really a problem’.
He was supported by the other members and it was agreed to look into the matter. to be entitled to a park for free.’
Cllr Willie Fitzharris said that while he supported the works in the town park it was true that many villages have no facilites at all.
Mr Mackey said the park in New Ross is very important but said he took the members comments on board. He also said it wasn’t feasible to have a playground in very parish.
Cllr Whelan said that other communities are being asked to raise funds for a playground but ‘ the one here in town is being revamped at no cost to the community’.
Cllr Connick said ‘nobody is suggesting that this is a freebie’ adding it was possible to get people in the town to fundrasie for the park. €750 is not enough to carry out maintenance on local authority homes, the meeting was told.
At last Wednesday’s meeting of New Ross Municipal District Cllr Larry O’Brien said that the figure simply wasn’t enough.
‘A lot of our older estates are in need of attention and €750 won’t being a house up to standard. We need to address the houses in older estates.’
He also wondered what was the slowest process when it came to getting a house back into commission.
Housing official Mick McCormack said that it can often take
‘I know people have told me they would be willing to contribute to a skate park. All I want to do is get facilities for the children in New Ross anor any other area and that’s the bottom line’, he said.
Cllr Michael Sheehan said ‘it’s not helpful to say we are all in this together yet have a slap at the town. The park is used by people from all over the district. We are not saying that because Ross is getting a park that nobody else can.’
Mr Mackey said that the council had tried to identify a site for a playground in Campile but there was no lands available. ‘Campile is an area that if land were available there is a need for a playground.’ twelve weeks to get the ESB reconnect after a tenant has vacated a house.
‘It’s not a big job to reconnect power’, said Cllr O’Brien. ‘A lot of the time it’s just a matter of flicking a switch’.
Cllr Michael Sheehan wondered if the council pursed tenants who gut a house when they a moving out and wondered how much it cost to put a house right after such an event.
Mr McCormack said it depended on the works needed. He said that if a house didn’t need new windows, doors, bathroom or kitchen fittings it cost between €4,500 and €7,000 but said that if other works were required it could cost between €12,000 and €30,000. He said that within the last year the council has begun to chase people for costs if they were aware of their whereabouts.
Cllr Anthony Connick said that the council should regularly inspect the stock. ‘ Some people are not respecting houses at all. I’ve seen houses where shower doors, fireplaces and other things have been removed from houses.’
However he acknowledged that it would be a drain on resources. He was supported by Cllr Larry O’Brien.