A week before it was due to reopen after vandalism in October, a community hall in southwest Edmonton was heavily damaged by vandals over the weekend.
Brookside Hall, one of two rental spaces operated by the Riverbend Community League, was vandalized in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.
League president Miep Redschelders said the damage was extensive.
Vandals tore down a suspended ceiling and stained the floor with paint. Someone painted racial slurs on the walls. Sanitary appliances, an electric stove and other kitchen appliances were broken. Cables and plumbing were also damaged.
“There really isn’t an aspect of the hall that has been left untouched,” Redschelders told CBC Edmonton AM on Monday.
“It’s heartbreaking, really.”
6:40 a.m. Riverbend Community League’s Brookside Hall has been vandalized
A community league in southwest Edmonton is picking up the pieces after vandals destroyed its recently renovated gym. We will speak to the president of the league, Miep Raedschelders, about the damage.
The building at 5320 143rd St. was recently renovated with new flooring after it was vandalized in October. In this incident, the floor and ceiling were damaged after a fire extinguisher was fired all over the hall.
“The damage is much worse than the first time, so it will be a long time before our hall is able to reopen,” Redshelders said.
Vandalism damage to bathroom and kitchen at Brookside Hall. (Miep Raedschelders) Vandals who ransacked the interior of Brookside Hall over the weekend smashed a bathroom sink and mirror and spilled paint on the floor and walls. (Emily Fitzpatrick/CBC)
Edmonton police responded to the burglary at 10:38 a.m. Saturday. Although there are no suspects yet, police said they are continuing to investigate.
Meanwhile, all Community League programs and events remain on hold. These include ice skating, playgroups for moms and toddlers, and Girl Guides of Canada and Pathfinders meetings.
Ward pihêsiwin Coun. Tim Cartmell said he was shocked to see the level of destruction.
“This seems little more than mischievous vandalism; it just feels different,” Cartmell told the CBC. “This one just looks so mean.”
He said once the league goes through the proper processes, including insurance, he will lend his voice to bring people together when the league needs volunteers and funding.
“In a weird way, this could be the event that really strengthens the community, because it’s not going to beat this community league in any way,” Cartmell said.
Community leagues are volunteer-run organizations. Raedschelders said it takes years of fundraising, grant applications and volunteer hours to complete projects.
“To see everything washed away. It’s definitely a bit demoralizing,” she said.
“I don’t even know where to go with this next. I mean, thank God we have a decent or very good relationship with our insurance company.”
Because the community league doesn’t have its own surveillance video, police are looking for dash cam footage from anyone who was in the area of 53rd Avenue and 143rd Street early Saturday.
“We would be very grateful because we wouldn’t want this to happen to other halls or other communities in Edmonton,” Redshelders said.
The Community League also runs the Riverbend Community Center on Rhatigan Road East.
Before and after photos of the Riverbend Community League’s Brookside Hall, which was damaged by vandals early on New Year’s Eve. (Nancy Wendt, Miep Redschelders)
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