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VIDEO: Youth at pump track committed ‘pure acts of vandalism,’ says Chilliwack mayor

Vandals torched brand-new turf caught on camera; will be held to account, mayor warns

The new green turf on the brand-new pump track in Chilliwack has a few ugly scorch marks burned into it.

Mayor Ken Popove was more than steamed to find evidence of torch piles and burn scars on the artificial turf.

“They’ve caused thousands of dollars of damage, that needs to be fixed,” said Popove, showing off some of the worst spots along the new half-million-dollar pump track facility.

Security cameras at the pump track captured the May 14 acts of vandalism, perpetrated by youth, he said and there will be repercussions.

Forced to deal with a series of senseless incidents now, including the torching of a little girl’s bike, the mayor issued a warning.

“Now I do not want to shut down this infrastructure piece down, but it sure would be sad if I had to do that,” Popove said.

The looping tracks are for cyclists, riders of all ages, and all skill levels. They’ve found out the pump track is the longest in North America, with the capacity to attract national-scale events.

“This is just a jewel in our community, that is just being disrespected, in my opinion,” Popove said. “I hate vandalism. It costs taxpayers money.”

Also the evidence of premeditated vandalism is disheartening to see on the footage.

“This sort of stuff is just pure acts of vandalism and it’s got to stop,” Popove concluded.

RELATED: Chilliwack pump track longest in NA

RELATED: Shameful behaviour of older kids at pump track

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Vandalism on the newly installed turf at the Chilliwack Pump Track on May 19, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Chilliwack Progress)
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Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove, next to fresh vandalism on the newly installed turf at the Chilliwack Pump Track on May 19, 2021. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Chilliwack Progress)


Jennifer Feinberg

About the Author: Jennifer Feinberg

I have been a Chilliwack Progress reporter for 20+ years, covering the arts, city hall, as well as Indigenous, and climate change stories.
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