A crowd of some 60 people assembled in City Hall on Tuesday evening, to attend a public meeting to discuss the proposed skatepark in the Closh.
Organised and chaired by Mayor David Fitzgerald, the meeting was to “provide a forum for a discussion to take place”, rather than reach any specific decisions or conclusions on the evening.
Bill Bergin, a resident of the Gaol Road first addressed the assembled crowd on behalf of the residents.
“We are not anti-skateboarder or anti-young people,” said Mr Bergin.
“The question is: why has the argument for a skatepark in the city become so fixated on the Closh?”
Mick Greene, a co-founder of Kilkenny’s skate club, said the skaters had met earlier in the week to form a consensus on the club’s position. He told the residents that they were willing to meet in partnership with the residents of the Closh.
“If any of you think we’re here for a fight, we’re not,” he told the crowd. “We came here to make friends. In fact, a lot of what you have said, we would agree with. We fully respect and empathise with the residents.”
Following these opening remarks, the floor was then opened to contributions from both sides.
Of the assembled crowd, the majority were residents of the Closh area, while a small group of some 10 skaters (aged between 10 and 17 ) also attended.
A number of Closh area residents, many of them elderly, took the floor to voice their own opinions during the evening. Closh resident Owen Doyle appealed directly to the group of skaters, urging them to instead consider renting an industrial unit for the skatepark.
Marian McDonald, who is responsible for the skatepark located in Kiltorcan quarry, agreed that the Closh was not a good location for the skatepark. However, she said, an indoor facility was not the solution.
“I’m probably the only person here who has actually built a skatepark,” said Ms McDonald.
“I think it’s got to be an outdoor park.”
Councillor Sean Ó hArgain also warned against the pitfalls of renting an indoor facility. He remained adamant that the Closh was the most suitable location.
“We have lost generations and generations of young people skating, simply because the facilities aren’t there,” he said.
While other locations were mooted, including the old James Stephens swimming pool, Mick Greene reminded everyone present that other communities might ultimately react the same way as the Closh. And, he observed, Fianna Fail councillors would probably be just as keen to take up their cause.
The other recurring suggestion was the Castle Park. However the OPW has thus far been unwilling to consider the construction of a skatepark.
While no conclusions or decisions were formed at the meeting, those present agreed that the discussion had been a good idea and a constructive step forward.
“This has been a good night for local democracy and a good night for the people,” said Mayor Fitzgerald, in his closing remarks.
Meanwhile, the debate continues.
