Refurbished pavilion hit by vandals (From Thurrock Gazette)

Refurbished pavilion hit by vandals

8:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in News

A SPORTS pavilion which cost £275,000 to build has been vandalised just months after opening.

The building, on South Ockendon Recreation Ground, was kitted out with new changing rooms, toilets, a kitchen and social areas as part of the revamp, made possible by the Veolia Mardyke Trust’s biggest ever grant.

But in recent weeks, the pavilion had its windows smashed by vandals who also damaged an outside tap and water tank.

The hub is used by a number of community groups including South Ockendon Bowls Club, Brandon Groves Football Club and Belhus Cricket Club, who have worked with the trust, Thurrock Council and architect Roland Hobbes to refurbish the building.

Shortly after it opened in October last year, Thurrock Council handed the building over to a users committee.

A council spokesman said: “The outside of the building is covered by the council’s insurance – all of the inside is the responsibility of the community group committee to maintain.

“Repairs are being carried out and the external window is being replaced with toughened glass.”