Call to make land available for BMX club

A NORTHSIDE local election candidate has called on Fingal County Council to make land available to locals for a BMX bike club.

Ken Doyle, from Glen Ellan, Swords, believes the facility would be of huge benefit to the community.

Mr Doyle, a local United Left (Fingal branch) representative, is calling for the construction of a BMX bike park similar to the very successful facility which opened in Ratoath in 2011.

“There is plenty of land available in the Swords area for such a project,

? he told Northside People.

“There is no reason why the community here cannot be just as successful as the volunteers in Ratoath who have built the biggest cycle club in the country with relatively small resources.

“It’s a wonderful facility where both parents and their children can enjoy the cycle tracks at little cost.

“Six similar projects are underway in areas around the country and it was disappointing that Swords was not included in these developments.

“Swords with a large youth population would greatly benefit from such sporting clubs to help children to develop skills and keep fit.

?

Mr Doyle said councils needed to be proactive and forward thinking at a time when resources are very limited.

“Projects like this should be embraced and fully supported by local government,

? he added.

“I will be making further enquiries and gathering support from local groups to push this project forward.

?

Fingal County Council said it has already identified an area of the Ward River Valley that would be suitable for a BMX track.

“It could be developed quite quickly into a basic facility which could be improved over time,

? a spokeswoman for the council stated.

“Prior to any works happening, the first stop is the formation of a club which would be fully insured and act to manage the facility.

“The success of the Ratoath BMX track is down to a group of parents who drove the project. Fingal County Council would be happy to work with a similar group of interested parents/adults from the Swords area if they come forward.

?

Separately, Fingal County Council is currently facilitating the development of a BMX track at St Catherine’s Park, Lucan, which again is being driven by a local residents’ group.

And earlier this summer a weekend BMX event was held at Bremore Park, Balbriggan, in conjunction with Balbriggan Cycling Club. There was a turnout of over 600 people over the weekend, and it’s hoped that this may lead to future BMX developments in the area.

The spokeswoman pointed out that

‘BMXers’ can also use skateparks that the council already provides and manages at Millennium Park in Dublin 15 and at Balheary, Swords.

“They are a clear indication of the commitment that Fingal County Council has made for years to provide a variety of facilities for our citizens,

? she added.

“These facilities were developed at a cost of almost

?¬600,000 and are safety checked and cleaned by council staff regularly, and also insured under the council’s policy.

?