Cork BMX club frustrated at ongoing closure of Tramore Valley Park track

THE BMX track at Tramore Valley Park has been closed for months amid ongoing uncertainty over insurance issues. 

The Cork BMX Club has held a demonstration at the track to highlight their frustration at the closure. 

The track closed in November after an issue arose with Cycling Ireland's insurance policy, which Cork City Council said could leave them "exposed to risk".

City Hall is planning to devise a license agreement for usage of the track and a health and safety management plan and a risk assessment will also be carried out.

Terry O'Hagan, the Cork BMX Club's Secretary, said: "There are a number of issues that need to be resolved. Cycling Ireland and Cork City Council need to reach clarification on the insurance issue.

"The Council also wants to have a license agreement about the track's usage, and a risk assessment has to be done, which is understandable."

However, the pace of the process has been slow. 

"The club is dying rapidly. Kids aren't coming out, and this BMX track can do so much for the youth of Cork.

"It's a great support for kids who don't like mainstream sports like rugby, GAA or soccer."

Mr O'Hagan says that in areas like Lisburn and Lucan, they have a rapidly growing BMX community. 

"For a city of our size and we are unable to develop... it's just crazy. It feels like they don't want us there."

Stephen Scully of Cork City Council's Parks Department said they are working towards reopening the BMX track.

"Our insurance brokers have advised us to work through a number of steps and we're progressing through those at the moment.

"A health and safety management plan, a formal agreement between the BMX club and the council, and risk management and assessment need to be carried out.

"We understand the frustration of the club. What we do now means all issues will be addressed, and the track can remain open in the future."

Scott Graham, Cycling Ireland's Marketing and Communications Manager, said that the Council agreed the track will be reopened. 

"There are documents that need to be provided and seen for clarification. The issue should be rectified soon."

However, no definitive date has been set for the track's reopening.