Works on closed Tipperary skatepark expected later this year
The park has been closed for some years now, but work is expected to commence later in 2026
Works on the skatepark in Thurles are expected to commence in August, a local councillor has said.
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.
Speaking with the Tipperary Star, Cllr Ryan said that work to get the park reopened are expected to commence in August.
"So the current situation with it is the council has the funding available now to carry out the necessary works to reopen the skateboard park, so we are now waiting for contractors to start the work. I’ve been told we’re looking at August before the contractors will go in, so hopefully then before the end of the year, we’ll have the skateboard park in Thurles back open again.”
According to Cllr Ryan, the project is expected to cost almost a quarter of a million Euro, and says he believes the reason behind the delay was due to the time taken to acquire funds.
"It is substantial, it’s over €200,000 to get it reopened, so, you know, the council had to find their own source of funding, and also get grant funded as well, so it took a good while to get that money, which is probably the main reason why the park has been closed for so long, it was just a matter of the district council trying to get the money for it. But that’s in place now, so it’s just a matter of waiting for the contractors to start the work, and as I said, we’re hoping that work will commence in August.”
"It’ll be worth it when it’s reopened, it’ll be a fantastic facility again, and a safe facility, which is the most important thing.”
Also speaking on the matter, Thomas Duffy, District Engineer with the Tipperary County Council, said: “The skate park was closed due as the surface material used on the ramps had reached its 'end of live' and therefore needed a completely new replacement surface or consideration for a different more 'longer life' material.
“Both solutions required substantial investment and identification of a funding stream. Following consultation with skateboarders, and other Local Authorities who had recently delivered skateparks it was agreed to install a permanent concrete surface skate park. It is hoped that the new skate park will be installed in Q3 2026.”