Compo fears halt skateboard park
Councillor John Ryan and three other members of the council are pressing ahead with a notice of motion instructing city manager Tom Mackey to apply for funding for a skate park from the Department of the Environment.
The department has set aside a special fund for skate park developments around the country.
Cllr Ryan said there were about 400 active skateboard enthusiasts in Limerick who had no permanent facility to enjoy their hobby and develop skills.
“On the Sunday after St Patrick’s Day about 300 of them took part in a demonstration of their skills in the city centre. They were mostly teenage boys.
“There wasn’t one drink or cigarette to be seen and they were an excellently behaved group of young people,” Cllr Ryan said.
He said officials at City Hall have told them they fear there might be a risk of compensation claims if a park was opened.
“If we were to take that attitude there wouldn’t be a playground opened in the city. If a problem emerges in this area it can be addressed. But we must move on and provide this much-needed amenity in Limerick.
“There is a skate park in Galway and it would enable young people in Limerick to engage in a very healthy activity,” Cllr Ryan said.
A spokesperson for Limerick City Council’s environmental section was unavailable to comment yesterday.
Members of the council have suggested a section of Arthur’s Quay Park could be developed for skateboard enthusiasts.
Cllr Kieran Walsh, who is also backing the skate park proposal, said anti-social behaviour was a huge issue on the doorstep at the last local election.
“Here is a positive proposal which will be totally funded by the department to get young people off the streets. There is a huge demand for this facility in Limerick,” he said.
Cllr Jim Long, another of the skate park supporters, said many parents had contacted him to get a facility opened up for skateboard enthusiasts.
The matter will be raised at the next meeting of the city council’s sports and cultural strategic policy committee. Cllr Ryan said they expect this committee to back the proposal and send it back for full approval.
