Latest news with #WicklowTownTeam
Irish Independent
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Largest bike pump track in Ireland' prepares for October opening
The project is a collaboration between Wicklow County Council and the Wicklow Town Team, who secured funding of €225,000 for the long-awaited works for a purpose-built track from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme last year. Plans for the pump track date back to 2022 and upon its completion, it is believed this will be the largest BMX pump track in the country. The best-in-class asphalt covered pump track promises to provide many hours of activity and enjoyment for all ages and abilities. It also has the potential to host events and competitions, which may come as welcome news to Ireland's BMX racers. The cohort received a large dose of inspiration last month when Ireland's Carly Hayes from Dublin finished 13th overall in the Girls 16 category at the BMX World Championships in Denmark. It is hoped works on the new Wicklow pump track will be completed by the end of September in time for opening by the end of October. The Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Graham Richmond, said: 'I was down at the site yesterday and it looks great. It will be a wonderful addition to the offerings we have in Wicklow town, and should attract visitors from far and wide. "Hopefully it is the start of more recreational facilities in and around the town, because the town has been short of these sorts of facilities for too long. If you don't provide these types of recreational facilities then it can lead to anti-social behaviour. 'We have had a lot of building taking place in Wicklow town and surrounding areas in recent years, but we need to have the proper infrastructure in place to match this growth. This will be a state-of-the-art pump track, suitable for all levels and age groups. "It will be the largest bike pump track in Ireland and should also help provide Wicklow town with a boost in the numbers of visitors. It's all very positive and hopefully the works should be completed before the end of September, in time for an official opening in October.' Welcoming the development of the pump track, and the short timeline to its completion, Pascal Burke, chair of Wicklow Town Team, acknowledged the great support provided for this project by the Wicklow Municipal District staff and its councillors by saying that this is another great example of what can be achieved for the local community by all interested parties working constructively together. The first full BMX track in Ireland was opened in Ratoath, Co Meath in November 2011. Now there are tracks in Cork, Dublin, Lisburn, and down the road from Wicklow in Courtown. Most recently tracks were opened in Dungarvan, Co Waterford and in the Dodder Valley Park in Dublin. The latter has been described by developers Velosolutions as the "largest full asphalt pump track in Ireland," with a total area of 1,300 square metres. Bike Park Ireland in Tipperary also describes their pump track as the largest in Ireland, but unfortunately the facility has been closed since 2019 due to insurance costs.
Irish Independent
09-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Funding for Wicklow Pastoral Centre will help half energy usage
The Town Team has been awarded €121,242 under the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) and the allocation has been designated for the upgrade of windows at the De La Salle Pastoral Centre, marking the completion of an extensive sustainable energy retrofit project at the heart of the Wicklow community. The De La Salle Pastoral Centre first opened in 2018 and has become an indispensable hub for numerous local voluntary community groups and activities, fostering a vibrant and active community spirit. The initiative was spearheaded by the Town Team's dedicated environment and sustainable energy working group. This latest grant builds upon previous successful phases of the project, which included comprehensive insulation of the building fabric and the installation of a significant solar PV and battery array. Upon full completion, the Pastoral Centre is projected to reduce its overall energy usage by over 50pc. Chair of the environment and sustainable energy working group Deaglan O'Meachair said: 'Thanks to the volunteer members of the Wicklow Town Team for leading this initiative with support from Wicklow County Council and the Community Recognition Fund. It serves as a prime example of how community members can implement similar sustainable improvements in their own homes and businesses.' The Wicklow Town Team operates as a coordinating body of local volunteers, representing active stakeholders, community groups, the voluntary sector, and business organisations. Working in close collaboration with the local Wicklow Municipal District, their shared mission is to enhance Wicklow town as a place to live, work, shop, and play. To date, the team has successfully secured over €1 million in funding for projects for the town.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Town Team seeks to recruit volunteers at open day
The Town Team consists of a coordinating body of local volunteers drawn from active stake-holders, community groups, the voluntary sector, and business organisations that work in co-operation with the local Wicklow Municipal District for the benefit of the local community and its environment. So far the Town Team has secured more than €1 million in funding for projects that have made a significant difference to the town. Among the key projects that the Town Team have achieved are the Wicklow Connectivity Project, which included murals and a golly trail, the popular heritage trail, the backlighting of historic and civic buildings, the development of the Wicklow town website, and other key projects that enhances the visual appearance of Wicklow town. Other projects that are in progress currently are the East Coast Greenway, the pump bike track on the Murrough, a new pilgrim walk from Wicklow town to Glendalough and plans for the Black Castle area to enhance its visual appearance and improve its access for the community and visitors to the area. Pascal Burke, chair of the Town Team, said: 'These projects would not happen without the dedicated work of Wicklow Town Team members who work closely with the local Municipal District and Wicklow County Council to secure funding for projects focused on improving our town environment, promotion of tourism, the arts, sporting/recreational development, community development, and climate action and sustainable energy.' The Wicklow Town Team will hold an open day in the Assembly Hall, Wicklow town, this Saturday, May 3, from 11am to 2pm, and they are interested in hearing from community members who have a passionate interest in any of the work carried out by their working groups.
