By Laura Michell
Mernda Cricket Club has been forced to relocate matches and reschedule training sessions following the attempted theft of copper electrical cables from Waterview Reserve.
Club members arrived at the reserve last Tuesday evening to find there was no power.
The club contacted Whittlesea council to inquire if there was an unscheduled power outage at the site after the pavilion, field lights and irrigation pumps were found to have no power.
The council found fuses had been removed from the electrical sub-board and an attempted theft of underground electrical cabling had taken place.
The attempted theft forced the council to close the reserve and pavilion, forcing the cricket club to make alternative arrangements for its weekend matches.
Mernda Cricket Club secretary Shane McCarter said the attempted theft had caused the club a “massive inconvenience”.
“We were told there would be no power until Wednesday [November 7] because [the council] can’t get generators until then because of the Melbourne Cup weekend,” he said.
“Our junior games have to move grounds and it was meant to be the first time this year we have two senior games at home. Our Woolworths Blast clinic also has to be postponed.
“We will also have stock loss from the fridge being off for a week.”
Mayor Lawrie Cox said the council was working with police to find those responsible.
He said the thieves appeared to have a quality operation with trucks and people dressed in high-visibility clothing.
“The attempted theft will take weeks to repair and will cost thousands of dollars,” Cr Cox said.
“It has caused major disruptions.”
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
