Criminals cut through sections of the surface
Vila da Luz Bowls Club was targeted by vandals who destroyed large sections of the artificial playing area during the night of Thursday, January 12.
It appears vandals cut their way through the perimeter fence of Vila da Luz Bowls Club and then cut through the surface with sharp knives.
Members attending the club for the Friday roll up were faced by a scene of devastation.
Cuts had been made around the total perimeter of the green and the area of 40 metre by 40 metres had been cross cut leaving not one green of the eight serviceable.
One section of matting had been dragged outside of the perimeter fence and a small section of about one metre square is missing.
Stephen Lee, Chairman of the Vila da Luz Bowls Club, told the Algarve Resident: “The artificial surface was laid 18 months ago at a cost of €39,000. Specifically designed as a bowling surface, it would be of little or no use to anyone, other than as a bowling green.
“Like most bowls clubs in the Algarve we are about to enter a busy time of year with visiting teams due in March and April as well as our commitments with Bowls Portugal.”
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After the initial shock had worn off, members of the club pulled together and within a few hours managed to provide four playable rinks.
Stephen Lee said: “We are grateful to all those words of support we have received from other clubs and individual members of Bowls Portugal, who are as shocked and disturbed as to the motive of this senseless attack as we are.”
The chairman says he hopes the insurance company, carpet supplier and the police will be swift to assist them in dealing with the matter so that the club can “very soon” report all eight rinks back in service. “We hope that could be as early as February,” he said.
The GNR police are investigating the crime.
“We are confident that the mindless people will be caught and, as such, the club is considering offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction,” said Stephen Lee.
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