Sportsfield Damaged at Gellert Community Park

Spring maintenance got off to a rough start this year when Parks and Cemeteries staff discovered substantial damage to a soccer field at Gellert Community Park last Wednesday. Sometime in the early hours of March 31, a vehicle left the parking lot area of the Gellert Community Centre and tore around the field causing major ruts and damage to the turf area. “Staff have enough challenges in early Spring with regular maintenance without doing needless repairs to sportsfields” noted Warren Harris, Manager of Parks and Open Space. “It will take at least a month, depending on conditions, to get the field back to anywhere near ready for regular soccer play.”

Town staff oversee maintenance of over 35 soccer sportsfields on Town and school properties. Recent challenges for turf including pesticide use reduction, reduced water use and increasing material costs for more organic solutions to turf care. Vandalism like this costs over $2,000.00 in labour and materials to repair, along with the loss of field play early in the season. “We have a challenging year ahead due to the potential loss of both Georgetown District High School and Christ the King Secondary School sportsfields due to closures for re-construction” noted Harris “and any further loss of fields at this point will impact at least 35 hours of field play for each month it is out of service.”

Vandalism costs the Town an average of $15, 000.00 each year and ranges from playground damage, graffiti and portable toilet fires. “We would much rather use these funds for regular park maintenance rather than senseless acts of willful damage” noted Mayor Bonnette. “These idiots have to realize that they are impacting hundreds of kids and denying their right to have a safe place to play.” While surveillance cameras have been installed where facilities exist to house them, and park shift crews are available to do surveillance during the parks season, vandalism continues to occur each year.

Halton Police are investigating the damage at Gellert Park from images captured on surveillance video, and are pursuing a dark pick-up truck that was seen on the field around 1:30am. Residents who witness vandalism or can provide any potential leads are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers of Halton at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or submit a tip online or Text “TIP201” plus message.

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