Extra protection for damaged park
Measures have been taken to prevent Ko¯whai Park’s cricket ground being damaged by vandals again.
The Feilding reserve was in November damaged by vandals who drove a car over the cricket fields, doing skids and burnouts.
The grass pitch wasn’t damaged, but the fieldwas ripped up by the car’s tyres and huge marks were left on most of the outfield, meaning the premier one team couldn’t play on their main oval.
Now, Manawatu¯ District Council has installed concrete bollards at the western entrance to the ground near the duck pond, which previously had no gate, so cars can’t be driven over the grass.
A council spokesman said a gate would be installed at the entrance in the new year.
‘‘Whilst we haven’t had any issues with vehicles previously on the cricket field, we’re installing the bollards and gates as an extra protection given the recent vandalism.’’
It’s believed the car entered the ground via the western entrance and went for the joy ride.
The gates at the eastern end of the ground are locked at night.
Andre Hoggard, club captain of Feilding Cricket Club, welcomed the work being done.
‘‘It’s good to know the cricket ground is going to be a bit safer, with people not being able to get out there and do what they did to the ground.
‘‘It’s nice to know we’re going to be able to turn up on a Saturday and not stress about people jumping on the field and doing skids.’’
Hoggard said it was sad it had come to that.
He said the groundsman had done a great job getting the field ready and the club should be able to play on the grass pitch after Christmas.
After the incident Hoggard said no junior or senior cricket could be played at the ground because of the damage.
Since then the club has used the artificial pitch only.