Falher “out 11,000” for youth vandalism at rink

Richard Froese
Smoky River Express

Falher “out 11,000” for youth vandalism at rink Falher taxpayers will pay $11,000 in damage caused by vandalism in Falher arena and curling rink by a young offender last fall. At council’s regular meeting Jan. 15, town administrator Gerard Nicolet reported that damage in the vandalism last October was valued at $11,000 while the insurance deductible is $10,000. “It’s not worth making a claim,” says Nicolet. A 16-year-old male from Falher was charged by McLennan RCMP with breaking-and-entering and committing mischief under $5,000 after the old section of the ice arena and curling rink were damaged. Young offender scheduled to appear in Falher Provincial Court on Feb. 1 The teen, whose name cannot be released under the Young Offenders Act, is scheduled to appear for trial in Falher Provincial Court on Feb. 1, says McLennan RCMP Sergeant Bryan Clayton. “When the youth appears in court, I hope the issue of restitution is addressed,” says Mayor Margaret Tardif. “The Town of Falher is now out $11,000 for the damages caused by this youth.” An estimate of damage will be provided by the Town of Falher in case of a conviction and restitution, says Sergeant Clayton. Whether the charge of mischief increases over $5,000 will be determined by the provincial Crown prosecutor, says Sergeant Clayton. An insurance reserve was established by Falher council in 2005 to cover the deductible amount in event such as this incident, says Nicolet. Frames of hockey team photos and medals were smashed in the spree. Upstairs, the suspect smashed several frames of Smoky River Minor Hockey Association teams who competed in provincials, and stole the winning medals. Some of the pictures and photo mats were scratched and cut, and may be able to be reframed, he says. Handles to the kitchen doors were damaged or broken off, and kitchen cabinet doors were forced open, although no equipment was damaged and nothing was stolen. Downstairs, the major damage was the done after the doors below the glass display were forced open and damaged. Although the trophy showcase was untouched, the snack vending machine was opened and damaged. A fire extinguisher was sprayed in the downstairs lobby, the hallway to the locker rooms, and an unlocked locker room and storage room. Over at the curling rink, liquor was stolen and a header pipe for the refrigeration system was damaged and needed to be replaced.