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On Sunday night, some people poked the sticks of their fireworks between the blocks of the dock shared by the Barrie Rowing Club (BRC) and the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club (BCKC).
This dock was new in 2019. It replaced our previous 24-year-old dock, which had deteriorated. Not surprisingly, these rockets burned and melted areas of the (polyethylene) dock when lit (photo attached).
The BRC and BCKC had worked hard for several years to raise money for this dock, which cost around $80,000! We hope that people respect the fact that this dock is private property.
You would be angry if somebody had charred the paint on your recently purchased car, or painted graffiti on your front door. Several BRC and BCKC members are angry at this stupid (or perhaps malicious) act of vandalism.
After all, the polyethylene dock could have caught fire! The fireworks could have easily and safely been set off on land just 4-5 metres away. Any damaged grass would have grown back within a week.
We cannot police our dock day and night, and have no wish to do so. And most club members really do not mind if people wish to use it to launch their kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or lie down in the sun with their feet dangling in the water.
We would be grateful if members of the public would help us by calling 911 if they see anybody vandalizing this dock.
I am a BRC member, but not part of either club’s governing board. This letter is my personal opinion and may not reflect the opinion of the BRC or the BCKC.
Peter Bursztyn
Barrie
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