Brakes put on world class BMX track
By Mary Dennehy
THE brakes are on and plans are on hold for a world class BMX track in Tallaght”, The Echo has learned.
However, it’s not the end of the road for the community facility, with South Dublin County Council confirming to The Echo that it remains committed to the development of an international-standard track at a site beside Tallaght Leisure Centre.
An artist impression of the proposed World Class BMX track
Work on the delivery of a BMX track in Tallaght has been ongoing since 2015 and, after a few bumps in the road, South Dublin County Council approved the community facility in 2018.
Running over 380 metres, the track, which would be the first international grade track in Ireland, was expected to open in the summer of 2018.
The council has been working on the delivery of the project with councillor Cathal King (Sinn Fein) and club DCBMX, which is set to run the inclusive, community facility on behalf of the council.
When contacted by The Echo this week, Teresa Walsh, Director of Environment, Water and Climate Change, said: “South Dublin County Council were in discussions with a local BMX club who had secured an agreement from a plant services contractor to build a proposed BMX track at Jobstown Park.
“The club and contractor offered to build the track and gift it to the council.
“The council procured an engineering firm and BMX designer to carry out the planning and detailed design stages for the BMX track and worked with the club and contractor to develop the proposal to the appropriate standards.”
An aerial view of the site for the track in Jobstown Park
Following completion of the preliminary design and planning (Part 8) stages the council moved to complete the construction detail stage.
“The construction details of the track, based on the initial proposed design, were sent to the contractor and the club”, Ms Walsh said.
“After careful consideration and intensive discussion between all parties the plant services contractor informed the council that the construction of the BMX track would not be feasible for them.
“They further confirmed that they have withdrawn the offer of a gift of a BMX track to South Dublin County Council.
“[The council is] now considering alternative sources of funding for the construction of a BMX track at this location and remain committed to the development of the project.”
Tallaght Central councillor, Cathal King has been working on the project for the past five years.
While expressing his disappointment that the community facility has experienced delays, Cllr King moved to assure people that Tallaght will have a world class BMX facility.
“There has been a significant delay in [the project] but everybody is still fully committed.
“The club, the council, myself…we’re still 100 per cent committed to getting the track delivered as soon as possible.
“Tallaght will have a world class BMX facility.”
