Playground project put out to tender
The playground at Bagenalstown Town Park.
MEMBERS of Bagenalstown Town Council were informed that the local improvement group has put the new playground project for the town park out to tender.
Town Manager Seamus O'Connor noted that he had had several discussions with Carlow County Partnership, who are funding the project.
He highlighted a number of conditions that had between discussed at the meeting and one was that the Bagenalstown Improvement Group (BIG) would have to take responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the playground for the first five years.
' This could be dealt with at the tender stage,' he added. 'Whoever gets the contract for the playground equipment, it could be ensured, that they are responsible for maintaining the equipment and the upkeep of the landscaping could be taken care of by their own FAS workers.'
He added that when the project is complete the BIG will want to hold a finishing of works ceremony.
Despite a rift in the past, the Town Council and the BIG managed to agree on working together on the project for the good of the community.
'If the BIG want to have a ceremony they can have one and we can have our own one,' said Cllr Arthur McDonald.
Confusion over the height of the fencing around the park caused concern at the meeting.
At a recent council meeting, held to discuss the playground, it was agreed to raise the fencing around the playground from 1.3m to 1.5m but councillors asked on Thursday night if this could be increased to 2m to prevent vandalism.
'It needs to be vandal proof,' said Cllr Denis Foley.
Mr O'Connor said he felt 2m would be too high as the playground area will be 10m x 20m.
'It would make it look like a cage, a 2m high fence around an area this size would make it look oppressive. I don't think people realise what they are asking for.'
The members agreed to discuss the matter down the road when a contract was in place.
