Fireworks damage £400,000 facility
‘Great sadness and disappointment’after incident
The committee behind a recently-launched Perthshire sports facility has shared its “sadness and disappointment” after the roof was damaged by fireworks.
In a statement online, Dunkeld and Birnam Sports and Leisure Hub revealed that they believed the damage at the Multi-usegames-area (MUGA) was caused by a group of teenagers.
The MUGA, which held an official opening in February, cost nearly £400,000 to build and has been a welcome addition to the local community and can host a range of sports.
But disappointed Dunkeld and Birnam Sports and Leisure Hub committee members were left gutted by the vandalism.
“It is with great sadness and disappointment that the committee of Dunkeld and Birnam Sports Hub are sharing news of damage to the roof of our new Multi-use-games-area (MUGA),” they posted this week.
“At approx 9.30pm on Sunday evening, April 2, police were called by neighbours of the hub, concerned that a group of approximately 10-12 teenagers were gathered in the MUGA and letting off fireworks.
“The fireworks let off have caused damage to the roof of the MUGA.”
The committee post went on to note that CCTV installed at the MUGA was being reviewed.
“For many years members of our community have worked tirelessly to bring this amazing new facility to the community,” the post continued.
“To find that a small group of people have engaged in behaviour which was both dangerous to them and has resulted in damage to the fabric of this new facility brings us great sadness.
“We urge the whole community to come together and get the message out loud and clear that these actions are not acceptable.
“If there are any further incidences like this then the CCTV from Sunday evening plus all new CCTV footage will be passed to the police for criminal investigation.
“We would be grateful for everyone reading this message to share this information as widely as possible including letting people know that the CCTV clearly advertised at the MUGA is in operation 24/7.”
The facility was paid for with the generous help of a range of organisations as well as a donation from local woman Kate Brooks – the mother of Robbie Melvin, who was tragically killed when riding his bike 17 years ago while still at primary school in Dunkeld.
Robbie loved sports and Kate undertook fundraising to provide a legacy for him.
Sports presenter Eilidh Barbour, a Dunkeld native, was joined by Kate as well as St Johnstone players Theo Bair and Connor Mclennan to officially open the facility on Wednesday, February 22.
Eilidh said at the time: “I’m delighted that a facility like this has been built in Dunkeld.”
A group of approximately 10-12 teenagers were gathered in the MUGA and letting off fireworks