When officials conducted an inspection of the playing surfaces at Cook Park at about 7am on Sunday morning ahead of the scheduled junior representative matches they expected to find water on the pitches.
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However, they did not anticipate discovering them in an unplayable state due to a vehicle being recklessly driven across three of the four turf pitches.
Especially considering a similar incident had transpired in the early hours of Friday morning which required urgent repair work to be undertaken.
And, these repairs are costly.
Singleton District Cricket Association (SDCA) president, Daniel Storey, says the top soil they dress the playing surfaces with is expensive.
“We just don’t go and get it from the river, it’s high quality and costs about $600 at tonne,” he explains.
Unfortunately, this all- too-common scenario plays out regularly during the season and drains the resources of the club.
It is also a disheartening for the volunteers who give up their time to keep the fields in pristine condition, and upkeep the area in manner that makes it an asset to the town.
But what can be done to prevent this from happening in the future as it does not only affect our cricketers?
The Cook Park/Rose Point complex is also utilised by the Greyhounds Junior Rugby League Club, both our junior and senior AFL Clubs (Roosters), and the Singleton Netball Association.
Mr Storey believes more fencing across the exposed levy area along Ryan Avenue may act as a deterrent, however ensuring the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions is imperative.
He explains police have been supportive and a suspect has been located but they need more information before charges can be laid.
“So anyone who may have witnessed the incidents or has any information needs to come forward,” he says.
While Singleton District Junior Cricket Association (SDJCA) secretary, Belinda Stafa, says it’s extremely disappointing sporting fields seem to be the target of this senseless type of destructive behaviour.
“Ideally we would like to see the access to the fields blocked off,” she says.
“There is a gate that should be locked however it seems some don’t respect that fact and will find other ways and means of getting in. We do wonder how many more incidents have to occur before preventative action is taken?”
There is a long history of vehicles accessing and causing extensive damage to both this complex, and Alroy Oval in Singleton Heights.
Singleton Council is in the process of installing more bollards along the Blaxland Avenue boundary of this oval to secure the area but has no immediate plans to do this along Ryan Avenue.
Council’s Manager Infrastructure Strategy and Planning, Peter McMurray, says the playing fields at Cook Park and Rose Point Park are fenced and the issue of vandalism is due to the entry gate not being locked.
“Council will pursue the matter with the intent that the main entry gates are locked and opened, with Council and relevant sporting groups to open and close the gates,” he says.
“With the main entry gate locked, there is reduced opportunity for vandals to access the field and therefore does not require the installation of any additional fencing at this stage.”
“The cricket club will undertake repairs to the cricket pitches.”
He adds the fencing at Alroy Oval is now almost complete and they will continue to investigate the recent incident of vandalism at Cook/Rose Point Park.
“It is not Council’s intention at this stage to install any further fencing. The closing of the gate will be one action that will assist in solving the majority of illegal access issues.”
“However, should the results of the investigation highlight the need for any further action, it will be considered for inclusion in Council’s Capital Works Program.”
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