$10K repair bill for vandalized Stratford cricket pitch

The cricket season has been delayed as the Town of Stratford, P.E.I.,workson replacing the playing surface of the cricket pitch in Tea Hill Parkafter discovering it had been vandalizedearlier in the year.

Some time after the field was uncovered in April, holes were found in a few sections of the specialized artificial turf.

Stratford Mayor David Dunphy said the repairs will cost $10,000.

"It looks like it was cut with a knife and ripped up. You just can't fold that down and glue it back. It's gotta be replaced," saidDunphy.

PEI Cricket Association PresidentRoss Dwyer said the damage was so bad,the season had to be delayed.

"We didn't want to get guys out there andhave the possibility of injuries," he said.

'Sense of community'

The sport bringsathletesfrom various backgrounds together to play on the Island, Dwyer said.

"To have our own space, itgivesus agreat sense of community and attachment to the town," he said.

The field at Tea Hill Park was one of the first cricket pitchesin the Maritimes.

Dunphysaid the materials to fix it are coming from the U.K. and he expects the pitch to be repaired in the upcoming weeks.

Dunphy said the pitch is an important feature ofStratfordas it reflects the town's diversity.

He'salso requestingthat anyone with information about the vandalismcontact theRCMP.

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