UCD track to close!!

RoyMcC · 22-11-2011 4:52pm

Just a cop out. A track needs certain minimum standards if it is to host an official meeting. There are no minimum standards for people doing casual laps or sessions. It's far safer than grass running or, as said previously, forcing people to run on uneven pavements.

meijin · 22-11-2011 4:57pm

b) ensuring that the track is no longer usable and thus stopping students from endangering themselves.

well, unless they dig up the whole track, it's still quite usable and actually more dangerous :P

smunchkins · 22-11-2011 5:20pm

I wonder if they needed planning permission to do that the to the track?

gerard65 · 22-11-2011 5:58pm

Are they going to bad all running on the campus in case someone falls over and cuts their knees.
And where is the student council, in my day we would have organised a riot.:pac:

gerard65 · 22-11-2011 6:01pm

smunchkins wrote: »

I wonder if they needed planning permission to do that the to the track?

Not at this stage. If they want to change usage/build on, then they'd have to apply for planning.

ecoli · 22-11-2011 6:16pm

gerard65 wrote: »

Are they going to bad all running on the campus in case someone falls over and cuts their knees.
And where is the student council, in my day we would have organised a riot.:pac:

trench dug within 20 hours of notice given. there was a meeting today regarding it but damage was done by then

robinph · 22-11-2011 6:26pm

ecoli wrote: »

trench dug within 20 hours of notice given. there was a meeting today regarding it but damage was done by then

Should be able to force them to repair the track on that section at least for not having given an appropriate amount of notice of the action. Then they can still go along and get rid of the track at a later date, but there must be something about them "having" to give more notice that they can be forced to now repair what they did.

rainbow kirby · 22-11-2011 6:45pm

Brianderunner wrote: »

Something sinister going on behind the scenes no doubt about it.

Nothing new there from UCD admin - never an organisation I was particularly fond of. Disgraceful how they've handled this, but sadly not surprising given some of their previous form.

Seres · 22-11-2011 7:01pm

We'd take even that beat up track no question over in roscommon !

Regards the footpaths , The Council seem to be immune from been sued , i'm familiar with a few strong cases gone to courts , taken against the council and they get off no bother !

BeepBeep67 · 22-11-2011 7:14pm

Timmaay wrote: »

and they obviously left it late as possible to tell us so as there would be nothing we could do!

ThisRegard wrote: »

Go out and chain yourself to the digger !!!

Totally agree you should stage a protest until at least after the Senior XC

downthemiddle · 22-11-2011 7:38pm

This decision has Brian Mullins' grubby paws all over it. The GAA pitch in the college can, apparently, be quite slippy when it is wet. Perhaps, in the interest of health and safety, they should dig it up.

VR46 · 22-11-2011 7:53pm

http://www.goal.ie/GOAL_Mile/146

UCD GOAL Mile alone attracts an attendance in excess of 4,000 each year.

Looks like GOAL will be taking a big hit this year. I wonder if UCD even bothered to contact them.

firemouth · 22-11-2011 8:11pm

absolutely astonished by this!the fact that it was allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair without a replacement track being planned shows either complete incompetence or complete contempt for sports at ucd both of which should be unacceptable.In fairness Brian Mullins is probably not to blame here but he definitly would have known what was going on and if he had any balls he would stood up,voiced his disapproval and let others know what was going on.

SharkTale · 22-11-2011 8:24pm

Sad to hear this news, track had got bad over the last few years. But it was more the scum/moss on the track which made it deadly slippy.
Sure this could have been hosed or cleaned off.

myflipflops · 22-11-2011 10:06pm

downthemiddle wrote: »

This decision has Brian Mullins' grubby paws all over it. The GAA pitch in the college can, apparently, be quite slippy when it is wet. Perhaps, in the interest of health and safety, they should dig it up.

Yep, Mr Mullins. Another former 'legendary' sports star who is allowed to be an incredibly inept sporting administrator in an important position.

I look forward to reproducing that picture when the bandwagon media and public start complaining about us not winning 5 gold medals in London. 9 months out from an Olympics on our doorstep and we are digging up tracks!! Can you imagine any other country doing this? It would be funny if it wasn't so lamentable.

Pisco Sour · 22-11-2011 10:32pm

myflipflops wrote: »

I look forward to reproducing that picture when the bandwagon media and public start complaining about us not winning 5 gold medals in London. 9 months out from an Olympics on our doorstep and we are digging up tracks!! Can you imagine any other country doing this? It would be funny if it wasn't so lamentable.

THIS THIS THIS!!!!!

BeepBeep67 · 22-11-2011 11:10pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dux8FTN8IwY

gerard65 · 22-11-2011 11:33pm

Did I hear correctly that Ringsend/Irishtown is 10-12 miles from Belfield:eek:. It was mentioned twice. 10-12 minutes would be more like it (in off-peak traffic).

G-Money · 23-11-2011 12:04am

On Twitter now too @SaveUCDTrack

electrictrad · 23-11-2011 2:17am

If anyone want to support the push for a new track, the campaign is kicking off right about now. . .any support, no matter how small, will be appreciated. . .

Petitions will be available to sign tomorrow across campus calling for a new track, and hopefully online soon. . .

On Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/UCD-SAVE-OUR-TRACK/253464394710434?sk=wall

On Twitter:

via #saveourtrack

This isn't just for the athletes, this is for joggers, walkers, and other sportspeople. . . they probably won't listen, but it won't be from lack of shouting. . .thank you. . .

plodder · 23-11-2011 10:16am

RoyMcC wrote: »

Health & Safety is a flimsy excuse for ripping up the UCD track. A simple 'use at own risk' sign would have done if that was the worry :mad:

it's the usual weasel excuse though ...

Article in today's irish Times about it

Pisco Sour · 23-11-2011 10:32am

plodder wrote: »

it's the usual weasel excuse though ...

Article in today's irish Times about it

You beat me to the punch. Was literally about to post this.

I hope he writes a more opinionated article on it in the coming days. Ian O'Riordan is a very good knowledgeable athletics writer (there's not many of them in Ireland!), and he more than anybody can bring this to the masses, and cause a bit of a stir, and embarassment for UCD, which may, you never know, lead something proactive to happen.

Maybe I'm clutching at straws.

Podge83 · 23-11-2011 10:54am

This is unbelievable.

plodder · 23-11-2011 11:08am

04072511 wrote: »

You beat me to the punch. Was literally about to post this.

I hope he writes a more opinionated article on it in the coming days. Ian O'Riordan is a very good knowledgeable athletics writer (there's not many of them in Ireland!), and he more than anybody can bring this to the masses, and cause a bit of a stir, and embarassment for UCD, which may, you never know, lead something proactive to happen.

Maybe I'm clutching at straws.

I always like his columns as well. For people like me, it's basically all we ever hear about athletics (outside of this forum).

The more I think about that excuse the more pathetic it sounds. Basic remediation to make it safe couldn't cost that much (it's not like it has to be up to IAAF standards). Presumably, the GAA pitches wouldn't be too safe either if they never cut the grass. Everything needs maintenance. Big mistake by the sports people in UCD to let it be dug up, when there is no firm plan to replace it.

Bruce7 · 23-11-2011 11:11am

Is it still possible to use the infield and throwing circles?

robinph · 23-11-2011 11:18am

Bruce7 wrote: »

Is it still possible to use the infield and throwing circles?

Nope, there may be moles or rabbits have dug holes there which could cause death by tripping, or even worse a twisted ankle. And of course the hidden dangers of a worm emerging from the depths of the field and then biting lumps out of your legs can never be over stated.

Keep off the grass.

Timmaay · 23-11-2011 11:19am

Bruce7 wrote: »

Is it still possible to use the infield and throwing circles?

No, whole track is closed, and there are signs up stating its a building site!

Bruce7 · 23-11-2011 11:22am

robinph wrote: »

Nope, there may be moles or rabbits have dug holes there which could cause death by tripping, or even worse a twisted ankle. And of course the hidden dangers of a worm emerging from the depths of the field and then biting lumps out of your legs can never be over stated.

Keep off the grass.

I'll take my chances as long as there is still access to the field and security won't come and throw me out.

PaulieC · 23-11-2011 11:24am

Timmaay wrote: »

but certainly it was better then what we are faced with now, trying to get some sort of 1/2 decent timeslot in the already packed out Irishtown, which is a bit of a nightmare trek for students to get out to during rushhour.

I know students have it rough :rolleyes:, but seriously ? A nightmare trek? The Number 3 bus goes from UCD through Irishtown and will leave you approximately 200 metres from the stadium entrance. Hardly the stuff of nightmares. As for the timeslots, avoid Tuesday and Thursday between 6.30 and 8.30 and you'll have a virtually deserted track to play with.

I know that closing the UCD track is a shame, but a little less hyperbole and a bit more rational debate might have got you further

Bruce7 · 23-11-2011 11:27am

Timmaay wrote: »

No, whole track is closed, and there are signs up stating its a building site!

Oh ok. That's ridiculous. It completely gives the lie to the health and safety explanation. The circles were fine.

UCD track to close!!

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