The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Vandals have left the soccer pitch at Phantom Lake in ruins, after a recent string of late-night attacks from 4x4 trucks and their inconsiderate drivers. Last Thursday night, or early Friday morning, was the latest of these senseless acts where large trucks were used to tear donuts into the field and rip up the sod. Double locked gates didn't stop the hooligans, who also wrecked a couple of PVC pipe nets and tried to knock over the large, 1,000 lb. steel nets. Members of the soccer community are asking the public too keep an eye out, or an ear open, for the vandals. See 'Fed' P.# Con't from P.# "It's disgusting," said John Moore who has been involved in the soccer community for several years. "I'm disheartened. I'm fed up and disgusted. Somebody knows who is doing this and we'd like to know who it is. They've got a million acres to do whatever they want with, and we've only got one good soccer pitch." This was at least the fifth attack on the field this year. A lot of work has been done at the Phantom Lake field over the years. The resurfacing efforts of three years ago came at a price of $16,000, plus hundreds of hours of volunteer work. The damage is again reaching a critical point, and it will take a major overhaul to fix. Entire chunks of turf are missing and the damage is becoming permanent. This mischief is wrecking the sport for over 100 kids who use the big field, and over 500 who play the sport locally. Most of the money that is brought in through the self-supporting Phantom Lake Soccer Club is used for maintenance. It will be the soccer moms and dads who pay for it in the long run. If more money goes into the field, there will be no money left for other upgrades. Vandalism is something that affects the entire community, and John feels that harsher penalties should be enforced. "It really ticks me off that individuals come out and put in the time and effort to do something nice in the community, and some bum comes and messes it up," said Moore. "Maybe if they had to come up with the time and funds to fix it, they would realize what they are doing." John has been involved in soccer locally for 16 years, and has only noticed a problem in the last five years. He notes that the soccer club isn't the only organization getting hit. The boardwalk is a popular target, and around town local businesses and various residences were hit earlier this summer. "It's time for the community to get involved," said Moore. "It's time to start caring. Get a license plate number." If you have any information on this crime, contact the Creighton RCMP detachment at 688-8888, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.9/15/2004
