Management agreement signed for vandalised Laois playground

AN AGREEMENT has been signed for the management of a newly redeveloped Laois playground, whose opening was delayed for weeks because of repeated vandalism.

Portarlington Community Development Association (PCDA) will be a partner to Laois County Council in the management of the new public playground, located in the town’s People’s Park.

PCDA chairman Aidan Mullally met with council official Audrey Brennan in county hall on Thursday 24 April, to sign the playground management agreement.

They discussed vandalism and damage and council assurances were given that full safety inspections would be carried out, prior to the long-awaited opening.

After visiting the site, Mr Mullally said on social media: ‘PCDA will be working with council representatives in future to ensure greater security of the playground. Let’s get the playground open first and take it from there.'

The playground opening was delayed yet again this week, because only a manufacturer in Italy can replace a vandalised piece of equipment. It is the third time within weeks that the opening had to be postponed.

It was hoped that the playground would finally open this week, after a safety inspection that was provisionally booked for Wednesday 23 April.

However, the opening was delayed for a further week, as a section of the Tower Unit that was damaged by vandals had to be manufactured in Italy. It is hoped that the site will finally open to the public this week.

Confirming the disappointing news on 23 April, Portarlington councillor Aidan Mullins said on social media: ‘The part of the Tower in the playground that was damaged had to be manufactured in Italy. The playground won't be reopening for another week.’ 

A platform in the new Tower Unit was damaged on the night of Monday 14 April, in another episode of mindless destruction.

Contractors at the site were also abused and threatened by people trying to enter the playground while works were in progress. The offences have been reported to gardaí.

The disturbing incidents occurred just over two weeks after fencing and barriers were knocked down and broken by both adults and children, so that they could gain access to the unfinished playground.

As a result, newly-seeded grassed areas and mounds were trampled and had to be repaired and reseeded, delaying the opening of the state-of-the art playground that was originally to open in late March.

Cllr Mullins described the culprits as ‘ignorant idiots’, while many disgusted locals on community social media pages called for the playground to be fenced off and locked at night, to prevent further destruction.

The playground is part of a €680,000 redevelopment of the People’s Park, which was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Laois County Council.