New Playgrounds and Youth Facilities for North Fingal Welcomed.
Fantastic to see new playgrounds and skates parks being provided in Balbriggan, Balrothery and Skerries. Only recently two skate parks in Balbriggan and Skerries were announced and this week news that a contractor has been appointed to build new playground and MUGA in Balrothery. Further public playgrounds are planned for Balbriggan.
New Group Established earlier 2018
Fingal County Council has committed to €10 million for a Balbriggan Improvement Scheme which will fund part of the work that will be set out by the Balbriggan Socio-economic Strategy Group. The Council says 'The Balbriggan Socio-economic Strategy Group was established in early 2018 to deliver on an ambitious new vision for the town of Balbriggan. Several workshops have taken place across four pillar themes.'
Those themes include 'public realm and place-making, economy and enterprise, community affairs and integration' and finally, employment, education and training'.
Workshops were attended by over 60 people from 42 different commercial, public and voluntary organisations working in the town.
There is also €20,000 in the plan for Balbriggan's new skate park and €80,000 each for two new playgrounds in the town. Spending on all three of these projects is slated for 2019, the first year of the three-year Capital Programme.
Some €3 million is also slated for spending over 2019 and 2020 on the development of Bremore Castle and Regional Park.
Press Release
October 16, 2018
Contractor appointed to design and build Playground and Multi Use Games Arena in Glebe Park, Balrothery.
Fingal County Council has appointed a contractor to construct a Playground and Multi Use Games Arena in Glebe Park, Balrothery. Following a competitive tender process, Creative Play Solutions has been selected to design and construct both facilities. The project is co funded from Town and Village Renewal Scheme (Department of Rural and Community Development)
Positive community engagement has been a hallmark of the project. Before tendering for the project, the council undertook extensive consultation with stakeholders to determine their requirements. The playground has been designed as a destination facility for families with a strong emphasis on natural play opportunities. A key element of the project brief was that the design of playground reflected the rich local heritage of the area. The striking, central knight themed sculpture draws on the tradition that Balrothery derives its name from Baile na Ridire 'Town of the Knight'. Meanwhile the multi-use games arena has been designed as a modern fit for purpose facility to cater for 5-side football, basketball and general training activity.
Senior Parks Superintendent Kevin Halpenny said: “The facilities are a key element of the wider objective of the Council’s Parks & Green Infrastructure Division to develop Glebe Park, Balrothery as a recreational hub. The Recreational Hub concept has been developed to encourage multi-use and sustainable community sporting facilities to cater for growing demand within the county.”
The news has been warmly welcomed by the Balrothery Community Association. A spokesperson for the Community Association said: “The community in Balrothery has worked closely with the Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Department of Fingal County Council on the project. We wish to acknowledge the work of the staff in Fingal County Council, who encouraged direct community input into the design brief. The winning design has really met the brief which asked for a unique 'Themed Playground' that not only provided natural play space but also represented the Medieval Heritage of Balrothery, 'The Town of the Knight'. To have a local playground in Balrothery Village will transform how families interact within the community. The project also caters for older children as they will be able to play basketball and football on an enclosed all-weather astro-turf surface. Together, the park will become a focal point for families to walk to, and to meet each other, and to talk to each other. ”
Welcoming the news Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Anthony Lavin said “I welcome the appointment of a contractor for this wonderful multi-use recreational facility and playground. This development is representative of Fingal County Council’s commitment to building sustainable communities, and will be an important meeting place and much used facility for the people of Balrothery into the future”.