Regina canoe and rowing clubs faces string of vandalism ahead of peak summer season

Regina's Wascana Racing and Canoe Club is reporting an increase in vandalism to the club's property in recent days.

The club says lines securing the docks to the shore have been cut, on-water start towers have been pushed and sunk, its Pine Island Watch tower has been targeted multiple times and a has been vehicle stolen, all in the past few weeks.

"This has been kind of a pattern of different types of mischievous behaviour," said David Robertson, the club's vice commodore.

Robertson said it's not uncommon for people to be curious about the boating equipment at the club.

"We have had people come into the boathouse and ask and sometimes try to take boats," Robertson said.

In those cases, he usually gives them directions for where to rent boats and equipment in the area. But he said what's happening now is not like that.

"This is the first time we've seen this level of damage and vandalism through the years," Robertson said.

"It's kind of more the mischief and vandalism that we're really concerned about and obviously the boats that are in the boathouse, whether they're rowing shells or kayaks and racing canoes they're quite expensive to maintain."  

In the most recent incidents, multiple windows on the watch tower have been broken, monitors have been smashed and the exterior has been defaced with eggs. 

Robertson said a team of volunteers from the club spent time cleaning the area on the morning of June 1. They spent more than seven hours shovelling glass and installing new plexiglass windows.

Volunteers to the rescue

Robertson said the recent uptick in vandalism has been disheartening for the community and volunteers. 

"Whenever something happens the volunteers have to roll up their sleeves and do whatever needs to get done to make things work," Robertson said.

The club's cleaning and repair efforts are all happening ahead of hosting team trials for the Canada Summer Games on Saturday and the racing club's annual regatta the following weekend, which Robertson said will bring in guests from across Western Canada.

"So again, as we're trying to prepare for these competitions, it adds a lot of extra stress and strain to our volunteers and, again, it's really discouraging," Robertson said.

He is asking the public to report incidents of destruction they see going on, not just at the club, but anywhere in the city. 

"I think that's the best thing that we can do," Robertson said.

He has reported the incidents to police and said they are in talks about increased patrolling in the area.

"Hopefully, you know, we're able to find a solution to keep things secure, keep things safe, and keep everything kind of moving in a positive direction."