‘A wonderful space for our children to learn and grow’

A fun, accessible and inclusive playground for all to enjoy.

That is the ethos behind a new playground planned for Silvermines village. Having recently received planning permission from Tipperary Co Council, the committee behind the facility presented their vision for the site to people of the community and local representatives at Silvermines NS last Friday.

Chairperson Lisa O'Donoghue told those present that the journey began during Covid in 2021 when she and her neighbour Áine Sheehan talked about the need for such a facility in their village. They organised a public meeting the following year and found that this was something desired by people throughout the local community.

A committee of 15 members was formed. They were fortunate to find an ideal location for the playground, the site known locally as the “Parish Field”, a portion of which the very supportive parish council has allowed the committee to lease.

The committee went to tender and KOMPAN - a play equipment manufacturer that builds playgrounds all over the world - won the contract to provide the Silvermines facility.

The committee had a fundraising target of €66,000 in order to be in a position to apply for full LEADER funding of €200,000. They raised €37,000 through various fundraisers held in the community, along with generous donations from local businesses.

SIGA Hydro, the company behind the plan to build a major hydro-electric power station in Silvermines, then came on board to donate €29,000 in order to bring the committee up to target amount.

PLAYGROUND FEATURES

Ms O'Donoghue said there was close consultation with the community in designing the playground. This included consulting children in the local schools - the committee received 200 entries in a design competition wherein children outlined what they wanted in the playground. A zip-line proved to be the most popular request.

Keith Walker, Commercial Director at KOMPAN Ireland, said a zip-line would be one of the features of the playground. He presented a number of montages to give those gathered an impression of how the playground would look.

A central feature would be a tower of integrated play equipment such as climbing bars, ropes and a hammock. It could be used by up to 65 children at a time. It would be intended for children aged between 4 and 12. There would be another unit for toddlers with such features as slides, climbing aids and a tunnel.

Other features of the planned playground include swing sets, a see-saw, trampoline, puzzle games and a kaleidoscope. There would also be bench seating.

Mr Walker said the playground would be accessible to children of all abilities, with a fully wheelchair-accessible roundabout among the features added.

Subject to a successful outcome with the LEADER funding application, the playground could be developed as early as this May or June with a view to being open in the summer.

‘BEDROCK OF OUR COMMUNITY’

Ms O'Donoghue said the new facility could become “the bedrock of our community for time to come”. It would complement such amenities as the Fairy and Nature Trail developed by the Silvermines Enhancement Group. She outlined a number of additional features that could be added after the playground gets up and running.

Ms O'Donoghue took the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the project to date, including the local Men's Shed and enhancement group. The playground committee would like to thank Fr Brendan Maloney and the parish council, Tommy Hickey for hosting their events and meetings, and everyone in the community who offered expertise, including local architect Yvonne Forde, who took the project through the planning process.

Particular praise was reserved for Cllr Pamela Quirke O'Meara, who volunteered with the committee prior to her election last year and has since been the link with the council in getting the project through the planning stage.

Cllr Quirke O'Meara stated: “We are incredibly proud of the local mothers and their families for their dedication and resilience in bringing the Silvermines Playground project to life. Their unwavering commitment has been truly inspiring. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the communities around North Tipperary for their generous support and donations over the years. The additional support from Silvermines Hydro both financially and professionally has been critical to this process and it has been very welcome. The dream that two young mothers on maternity leave had four years ago is now becoming a reality, creating a wonderful space for our children to learn and grow.”

The playground committee would also like to thank SIGA Hydro for providing both financial and professional support through the tendering process.

Darren Quinn, Managing Director of SIGA Hydro, stated: “Congratulations to the Silvermines Playground Group on successfully completing the planning process for the new playground and securing vital community funding. We wish you the very best with your upcoming application for LEADER development funding and look forward to seeing construction begin in the near future.

“We're delighted to be part of the journey and to support such a positive project for the community.”