Vandalised Sporting Complexes North Kellyville
by Bev Jordan
Hills Shire Council is investigating the total cost of the damage caused by the vandalism but it is believed to be over $60,000. The fields were due to open in August but remediation work may delay the opening.
An angry Hills Shire Mayor, Peter Gangemi said: “Many hours of hard work is now undone and tens of thousands of dollars are down the drain.
“About 44,000 sqm of new turf was laid along with irrigation in the weeks leading up to this incident and now we could be put in a position where we must dig everything back up.
“This is extremely disappointing, especially when our sporting complexes are already under pressure from population growth.”
“Vandalism is a huge community concern, especially when it removes much-needed financial assistance from other services and infrastructure.”
He said the concern is that this: “pointless action” could delay opening this much-needed sporting complex in North Kellyville.
“We lay the turf just before winter so it has time to establish its roots, grow and become strong before the summer sporting season. This blatant act will now cost us time and money, as we will need to assess the damage and then work out the next steps to salvage the fields,” he said.
Police say It was vigilant community members who called the police who got there in time to apprehend an offender allegedly destroying the playing fields at Samantha Riley Drive at around 12.50am on Saturday morning 13th May.
The 18-year-old who has been charged is due to appear in Parramatta Local Court next month. Police believe other vehicles were involved in the damage to the fields. The male arrested was driving a white 2013 Ford Dual Cab.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.
When completed Samantha Riley Reserve will have:
-
Four multi-purpose rectangular natural turf sports fields that can be reconfigured into two ovals
-
Basketball half court
-
Two cricket nets
-
Accessible toilets, change rooms, kiosk and referee room
-
200-space carpark
-
Playground with picnic facilities
-
Shared pathways and
-
Sports field LED lighting, field drainage and irrigation system.
