Unity urged against pavilion wreckers
THE Banff community has been urged to report any acts of antisocial behaviour after the Canal Park pavilion was targeted by vandals.
The building which is used by sports teams from Deveronvale Community Football Club is regularly damaged and covered in graffiti.
Aberdeenshire Council has said it has already undertaken repairs, will be removing the graffiti and is looking into increased security measures at the site.
A spokesman from the community football club said: "Canal Park still gets used frequently.
"It is pretty embarrassing, all boarded up, and more graffiti added each day.
"We find all sorts of stuff here on Saturdays and especially Sunday mornings as our teams turn up to smashed bottles, vomit, urine and all sorts of undesired objects. If we're lucky we get to clean the smashed bottles off the pitch along with the dog mess too.
"I don't think people realise how frustrating and disappointing it is to turn up here for games to this."
Banff and District councillor Glen Reynolds said he was contacted by residents about the incidents.
He added: "I have been to the site and it is such a shame that what is part of the gateway into Banff has been treated in this way.
"It has been reported to the police and I am aware that the council have completed a vandalism report for the security and tasking group.
"It is important that when such awful incidents of vandalism take place, that the right measures are taken ASAP, in order to avoid the perception that this can happen and vandals just get away with it.
"It also reflects badly on the town and the vast majority of responsible people who live here.
"There are a number of issues at the Canal Park and I have been informed by council officers that they are keen to promote the principle of a 'One Aberdeenshire' approach between services to trying to at least improve the situation, which is both unsatisfactory for users and is very unsightly at the gateway into Banff."
A council spokesman said the authority was aware of ongoing, regular anti-social behaviour, graffiti and vandalism at Canal Park and other locations around the town.
He added: "Clearly this is disappointing, in many cases costing the taxpayer money and tarnishing the image of the town.
"Colleagues from a range of services are working together to try to address the issues, having already undertaken repairs, and are looking into increased security measures in addition to further repairs. We will also be removing the graffiti."
