Refurbishment works for Tipperary skatepark get underway
Work has begun on the skatepark in Thurles
Refurbishment works on the skatepark in Thurles have commenced.
The skatepark in the Thurles town park has been closed for at least two years, to the dismay of skaters in the town.
The park was closed due to medical concerns, after some skaters reported allergic reactions to materials used in the park, said Tipperary County Councillor Jim Ryan.
Commencement of works on the park have begun recently, with many of the ramps in the park having been removed from the area.
Speaking with the Tipperary Star, Cllr Jim Ryan, who has advocated for works to be carried out on the skatepark for some time, has said he is thrilled to see the works commencing, and is hopeful the skatepark can reopen shortly.
He said: “I want to welcome the works that have started in the skateboard park in Thurles. The skateboard park in Thurles has been closed down for nearly two and a half years, so it’s long overdue and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes, from the Council Executive looking for different types of funding to try and get the money required to carry out the necessary repairs in the skateboard park, but, look, as someone who always looked for the skateboard park to be in the town park in Thurles initially, and, you know, I’ve been fighting very hard since it’s been closed down to ensure that this is opened up as quickly as possible, obviously it’s a relief to everybody that uses the skatepark, a lot of teenagers have been on to me over the last few years since it’s closed down, asking when it’s going to be reopened.
“So it’s great to see the work has started, the money is there to do the work, contractors are on-site, and hopefully within a very short period of time, the skateboard park in Thurles will be back open again for everybody to use.”
Works were expected to commence in August, according to Cllr Ryan when he last spoke with the Tipperary Star regarding the matter, putting the project ahead of schedule.
Speaking on the timeframe, Cllr Ryan said that he could not put a date on the reopening as of yet, but that he hopes it will be sooner rather than later.
“I’m not sure of the exact time scale, but you’d be hoping with the good weather that the works will be carried out within the timeframe that’s required to get it open as quickly as possible. Teenagers are off school now, they’re anxious to enjoy the good weather, and what better way to do it than to use the skateboard park, so I’ll be hoping that the work will be carried out as quickly as possible. We’ve waited long enough, so, you know, it’s great to see the contractors on-site, but obviously, people are anxious to get the work done as quickly as possible.”