Skatepark is facing a race against time for funding

Sporting bodies in Mullingar are to be approached with a view to partnership as Westmeath County Council seek to identify a suitable site for a skatepark.

Members of the council’s Mullingar Area Committee expressed alarm that if a site is not up and running by the end of October, funds set aside for the project will be lost.

Speaking at last week’s meeting, Cllr Aidan Davitt expressed his fears that the council would be left out on a limb as the deadline approached.

“There are a number of places around the town where the skate park could be established and where the facility would be suitable,” he said.

Supporting his party colleague, Fianna Fáil’s Ken Glynn said people in the sport are travelling to other towns to avail of facilities there.

“Some might say this is a minority sport but I believe it could take off if a facility was put in place,” he told members, adding “there are a lot of young boys and girls who are hoping it will happen.

“It is amazing the number of young teenagers who are talking about this. There is huge excitement about it and the council need to progress it.”

After the chairman, Cllr Denis Leonard, said there is a facility in Robinstown which could provide a suitable home for the skatepark, Cllr Michael Dollard declared there should be “less talk and more action. Make a decision and move on.”

Director of services, Dave Hogan, recalled that the notion of a skatepark had first been mooted as far back as 2005 and when the proposal for sports facilities in Robinstown were revisited in 2013, the skatepark was to be included.

However, Mr Hogan advised the meeting there will be little movement in Robinstown by August, when the proposals for the skatepark must be in place.

“We need to evaluate the most suitable venue for the park or consider partnership with other sporting bodies,” he said.

When he announced that the council would lose the funding for the skatepark if nothing transpirde by the end of October, Cllr Fintan Cooney said that was a disgrace.

Advised that the decision was a matter for the department, Cllr Cooney said the situation was “absolutely ludicrous”.