Vandals Damage League Ground

Newcastle Herald

Friday April 2, 2004

Craig Kerry - Up the Valley

ABERDEEN rugby league club are battling to cover the costs of a senseless act of vandalism that has rendered their main ground unplayable.

Last weekend, vandals turned sprinklers on at McKinnon Oval before returning hours later to destroy the ground surface using four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The estimated cost of relaying the turf is about $7000.

Scone council is investigating whether insurance will cover repairs.

Regardless, the oval will be out of action for most of the season, leaving Aberdeen without their best facility for Group 21, junior and under-18 games.

Club secretary Cindy Milton-Smith said they would be forced to use a nearby ground in Jefferson Park, which is unsuitable because it does not have full amenities.

The club's next senior pre-season game will be held on April 24.

Milton-Smith said the club needed help to secure amenities such as temporary demountable buildings and seating at an affordable rate.

``It has been a very de-motivating weekend," she said. ``We organised a working bee for Sunday to prepare the ground for the season only to spend the whole day marking out another oval of a lesser standard.

``We have caretakers of our grounds who work very hard and pride themselves in keeping the ground in tip-top condition, and this has been very hard on all involved."

Singleton Greyhound Club also fell victim to vandalism this week, forcing the cancellation of today's scheduled meeting.

A routine track inspection yesterday found that horses had galloped on the racing surface, causing major damage.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home