Dozens of sports teams based at four parks and reserves have been left in the dark after a recent spate of electrical cabling thefts across Melton.
Football matches and evening training sessions were rescheduled or cancelled at Arnolds Creek Community Pavilion and Recreation Reserve last week after electrical wiring was stolen, leaving it without power.
Melton council is working with police to investigate a series of thefts throughout April at Arnolds Creek, MacPherson Park, Bridge Road Athletics and Hockey Centre and Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve.
Melton council’s recreation and youth manager Troy Scoble said rescheduling affected a significant number of parks.
“Over the past few weeks, Melton council has experienced electrical cabling theft at a number of reserves,” Mr Scoble said. “The cabling stolen provides electricity to sports lighting and pavilions.
“Replacement at these sites is estimated to take about seven to 10 days, depending on the damage caused during the theft.
“This causes significant disruption to community recreation and leisure activities planned at these reserves and to the volunteers.
“Council has been working with affected clubs to provide alternate training venues.”
Riddle District Football Netball League headquarters, based at the Arnolds Creek reserve, had to relocate to an office in Ballarat for the week.
League operations manager Jordan Doyle said the thefts caused “quite an inconvenience”.
“It happened on Friday [April 20] and [power] was only reconnected late Thursday afternoon,” Mr Doyle said. “On Sunday four junior teams were meant to play, all those games were rescheduled and the Melton Centrals had to play away because there were no lights.
“That meant that the clubs weren’t able to make any money through the canteen because there was no power to run the fridges.”
A Melton police spokesman confirmed they were investigating and encouraged anyone with information to contact Melton police.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity can call Melton police on 9747 7999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
