Cavan's €125K skatepark opens

If you build it, they will come… this has certainly held true for Cavan’s Skate Park.  Cavan County Council and Cavan Sports Partnership were delighted to welcome Minister Heather Humphreys who officially opened Cavan Skate Park this afternoon (Friday), July 8. 

Located in Con Smith Park, Cavan Town, this is the second recreational and sporting facility to be opened in Cavan in the past two months - the Bowling Green at Cavan Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre having opened in May.

The delivery of the skatepark was a joint initiative by Cavan County Council and Cavan Sports Partnership. Funding of €80,000 was received under the Department of Transport Tourism and Sports Capital Grant Scheme and the balance of €45,000 was provided by the local authority.

Minister Humphreys and the community were welcomed by the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Fergal Curtin and CEO, Tommy Ryan. Speaking at the opening Minister Humphreys acknowledged the partnership approach by Cavan County Council, Cavan Sports Partnership and wider communities that had supported this development.

The Minister mentioned the importance of these recreational facilities in encouraging people of all ages to get out and get active. 'In developing these facilities it’s important that the local authority engage with the community in order to identify their needs, and in doing so, they can ensure that the facility provided, benefits the broadest number of people possible and encourages others to try out something different,' she said.

Chief Executive Tommy Ryan reiterated the importance of the provision of these facilities. He referred to the ‘Healthy Ireland Initiative’, which is the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing. Its main focus is on prevention and keeping people healthier– the provision of these facilities encourages people of all ages to get out and get active, which in turn will keep them active and healthier for longer.