Vandals have targeted a Wagga business twice in three days.
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When staff of Airborne Gymnastics arrived at work on Friday morning, they found graffiti had been sprayed on the walls and equipment and the office “trashed”.
The vandals are believed to have made it into the gymnastics centre, which is located inside the Bolton Park complex in Morgan Street, by cutting through a skylight and then jumping to the floor.
It’s just a shame. We try to do the best thing for the kids and the community.
- Lyndal Seymour
Once inside, they were able to open external doors.
Lyndal Seymour, who runs the business with her husband Hayden, estimates it is at least the 10th break-in at the premises.
“It’s just a shame. We try to do the best thing for the kids and the community,” Mrs Seymour said.
“They’ve broken in before, but usually they just have a jump and then go.
“But this time, they decided to damage the equipment.
“They’ve decided to leave their mark. A couple of mats were spray-painted on and we are just thinking ‘why?’”
Mrs Seymour said the graffiti on the walls could be painted over, but damage to the equipment, such as spray paint on the woven mats of trampolines, would not be able to be removed.
The business’s office was trashed and equipment like an EFTPOS machine damaged, but more concerning was the theft of some keys.
“So now the council will now have to pay to have locks changed. It will cost a fortune,” Mrs Seymour said.
In the past, would-be thieves have tried to gain access to the Bolton Park basketball courts through a door that adjoins Airborne.
“We now have to keep that door chained up,” Mrs Seymour said.
Having just cleaned up the business, staff arrived on Monday morning to find there had been another break-in, which left an even bigger mess than the incident just days earlier.
There was also a break-in at the adjoining Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre, but no reports of any damage or thefts.
During the second break-in at Airborne Gymnastics, the vandals even inflated giant jumping castles and left the stereo on.
But, Mrs Seymour said it could have been worse.
“They could have set the place alight too, they were smoking in here,” she said.
“The second time, they did an even better job of trashing it than the first time.”
Wagga police have confirmed they are investigating the incidents.
They are currently reviewing CCTV footage and have called for anyone with information to come forward. Contact Crimestoppers on 1300 333 000.
Repairs and improvements were being made to the skylight on Monday.