Waterford cricket club left stumped as vandals cause significant damage to playing grounds

Waterford Vikings has set up a gofundme.com campaign to restore their facilities, which were damaged over the weekend of Saturday night or Sunday morning, June 29-30.

Vandals caused significant damage to the astro-turf matting ‘crease’ which forms a central part of the pitch, and which will cost thousands of euro to repair.

Gardaí are investigating the matter and are calling on members of the public who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour to come forward.

“We are reaching out with an urgent plea for help,” said a spokesperson for the Vikings Committee. “Our beloved cricket pitch, home to the Waterford Vikings, has recently suffered significant damage at the hands of anti-social elements, and we need your support to restore it.

“For many years, this ground was left barren and unattended. It has been a place for children, adults, and everyone in between to come together and share their love for the game. Unfortunately, due to recent vandalism, the pitch has been rendered unplayable.

“The costs associated with repairing and restoring the pitch are substantial. We need to restore the pitch to the stock condition and take preventive steps to prevent future damage. Additionally, we plan to enhance the facilities around the pitch to ensure it remains a safe and enjoyable space for everyone.

“We are launching this GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising €5,500. This amount will cover restoration of the pitch, safety cameras and motion sensor lights.

“We humbly ask for your generous donations to help us reach this goal. No contribution is too small, and every euro will make a difference. Your support will not only restore the cricket pitch but also revive the spirit of the game and our community.

“Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your network. Together, we can bring our cricket pitch back to life and ensure it continues to be a place of joy and unity for years to come.”

Donations can be made at gofundme.com by searching for Restore Damaged Pitch and Club house. So far, €575 has been raised towards the €5,000 target.