Ratoath skateboarders secure temporary facility

A group of Ratoath youngsters are campaigning for skateboarding facilities in the village. The Ratoath Youth Skateboarding Club has already secured the use of the community centre car park on a Sunday afternoon for skating and members hope to have a permanent facility provided in the future. The young people themselves got together to form the club and local councillor, Nick Killian, who was impressed by their efforts, says he is fully supporting them and is looking to acquire a space or piece of land for a permanent skatepark. Fourteen-year-old Vincent Browne of Old Mill is a founder member of the club, which was formed four months ago. He explained that he, like many of his friends, had been skating for three to four years, but had nowhere to go. 'There are a lot of young people in Ratoath who like to skate, but there was nowhere we could go to skate together. We are not allowed on the footpaths - people don"t want us skating on them,' he said. They then decided to get together, form a club and start lobbying for facilities. 'Nick Killian has been really helpful. We are allowed use the rear of the community centre on Sundays from 12 to 3pm and he has got us a few small ramps and rails,' Vincent added. He explained that between 20 and 30 youngsters use this facility every week, but many more would use a permanent skatepark. 'Because it is a Sunday, there are many skaters who also play football and have to play matches at that time, or have to go away with their families,' he said. The club took a break for the Christmas period, but the Sunday skating sessions begin again next Sunday. Cllr Killian said he was delighted that the club was being formed and congratulated Vincent and his friends for their excellent initiative. 'We have made our car park available in the short term and they have been lobbying me to see if I can acquire a space or piece of land in Ratoath for a permanent skateboard park,' said Cllr Killian. Vincent says he is delighted at the support the youngsters have received from their parents and their school, Ratoath College, and is looking forward to the day there will be a permanent skating facility in Ratoath.