Ruined pitch restored to glory

When vandals wreaked havoc at the Weston sports ground, it not only affected the club, but the whole community.

Two months ago, three pitches were ripped up by a vehicle, which amounted to thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Valley cricket club member Geoff Mavor said the senior team were able to play on the main pitch for the first time just over a week ago.

"It has affected the club on the social side of things. We haven't been able to mix with the other three teams," he said.

"Financially it's been hard for the club."

Mr Mavor said he is disappointed by the vandals' actions.

"I'm gutted to see someone could go that low. It's not just for the club, it's the community's park," he said.

"It's a bit selfish."

The vandals also ripped up a junior pitch, which was created last summer.

"There are around 50 kids who play here," said Mr Mavor.

Waitaki District Council recreation manager Erik van der Spek said the repairs cost $2500 plus GST and staff time.

"It's been repaired. The cricketers aren't totally satisfied. It's not as good as it used to be, but we've done what we can without completely ripping it up," he said.

Mr Mavor said the pitch is not as even as it was before, which gives it an uneven bounce.

Mr van der Spek said council had discussed a number of options to prevent it happening again, however, some were more costly than others.

To have the gates closed and reopened for the public's use would cost $13,000 a year, said Mr van der Spek.

Another long-term option is to place a fence around the pitch boundary.

"That's not cheap either," he said.

Mr Mavor said something needed to be done, as it was a regular occurrence.

"It's about the fourth time in as many years," he said.

The senior Valley side won't return to their home ground again until the new year.