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Bruce Kelliher.
THE new skate park in Tralee is to be named after a much-loved local man who passed away earlier this year.
Bruce Kelliher, originally from Ard na Lí in Oakpark, was just 48 when died suddenly on January 31 in Co Galway, where he was living with his family.
The new park located adjacent to Tralee Sports Complex will be known as ‘Ox Park’ — Ox being a nickname attributed to Bruce by friends — after the naming was approved by councillors at the Tralee Municipal District meeting on Tuesday.
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The local skate park committee wanted to name the park after a local legend of the sport and decided to honour Bruce who was synonymous with both skateboarding and basketball in the town.
Justin McCarthy of the group commented: “Bruce grew up in Ard na Lí, a short distance from the Sports Complex. It seems fitting that the park would be dedicated in his name, not only for his efforts and input to the project throughout the years but as a gesture of gratitude from the local and national Irish skateboarding community”.
Bruce’s brother Graham, on behalf of the family, said: “If the youngsters of Tralee and Kerry can enjoy the skatepark half as much as Bruce enjoyed his life then we would be privileged to have it named in his honour. OX Park is a fitting tribute”.
The new skate park is nearing completion.
Councillors unanimously agreed that it would be a fitting tribute to the Tralee man.
Councillors also heard that construction of the skate park had been delayed due to COVID restrictions, but is now nearing completion subject to fencing and landscaping work and will be open in a number of weeks.
The park, which cost over €200,000, was internationally designed and is a collaboration between Kerry County Council, Tralee Sports Complex and Tralee Skateboard Community Group.
Funding was from local, Leader and Sports Capital Grant sources.
