Laois councillors have expressed their frustration over a delay to the new playground in Ballyfin – and an unexpected bill of €1,500 handed down to the local committee who have overseen the project.
In a motion to Thursday’s meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, Cllr James Kelly asked for an up to date report on the playgrounds in Ballyfin and Trumera.
He was told that the Ballyfin playground is now complete while the Trumera one has “advanced to the appointment of a contractor and works will commence in the new year”.
However, Cllr Kelly and his colleagues were not one bit impressed with the current state of play, so to speak, in Ballyfin.
While the council response stated that the Ballyfin playground is complete, it can’t be opened to the public yet because of a number of safety issues that have been identified.
Cllr Kelly told the meeting that a first inspection of the playground in October was absorbed into the cost of the development – but a subsequent inspection has led to an additional charge of €1,500 which has been landed on the local committee.
“They (inspectors) came back in November and found seven or eight serious issues,” explained Cllr Kelly.
“The slide has to be taken out, the willow tunnel has to be taken out, there is a problem with the swings. They all need to be fixed and corrected.
“It had been hoped that this would be open for Christmas so this is not on. The people involved in the committee are very frustrated and disappointed.”
Cllr Kelly argued that “Laois County Council should look after the bill”. “We need to contact the committee and get this impasse sorted.
“Santa is coming for Christmas but unfortunately the playground in Ballyfin isn’t.”
“This is very disappointing,” added Cllr Paddy Bracken. “Was there nobody supervising the work that was going on?”
Donal Brennan, Director of Services with Laois County Council, said that it is normal practice for assessments of this nature to take place on public amenities like this before they are opened.
“It is a good process overall that you have a separate body comes in and carries out an inspection. Unfortunately in the environment we live in we have to comply.”
“Put on your Santa hat and sort out that bill,” was the message from Cllr Ollie Clooney.
“Laois County Council should be providing a playground everywhere there is a school,” he added. “They get kids out and about, they are healthy, they are meeting their friends, getting exercise and they are getting off the iPads.”
“These groups are being hit with every obstacle,” said Cllr Conor Bergin.
“This is another sting in the tail. It’s unfortunate to see groups like this hit with unnecessary red tape.”
Following consistent urgings from the elected members, Donal Brennan said he’d see what way the €1,500 bill could be met, though he couldn’t make any commitment in the moment.
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