Vandals didn’t play nice when they went to work on a local child-care facility.
Staff members at the Penticton Early Childhood Education Society (PEACHES) Daycare arrived at work Tuesday morning to find two mangled gates that had enclosed its outdoor play area, and toys thrown down an embankment about 20 metres away.
“Even our composter was put over the fence,” said Danica Kennedy, who manages the Carmi Road facility, which has room for up to 30 kids.
One gate on the outdoor play area was ripped off its hinges, while another was bent out of shape and would no longer latch, forcing staff to declare an in-day.
“Our yards are no longer usable because we can’t contain the kids. So who knows what we’re going to do to keep them entertained inside today?” Kennedy said.
Some of the toys tossed by the vandals were also ruined.
“We’re a non-profit organization,” Kennedy said. “We don’t make a lot of money, so it’s going to hurt.”
The manager said it’s not the first time intruders have been on site, but this group was particularly nasty.
“Every summer we have kids come in and throw some toys, but this is the first time it’s been vandalized to the point it’s not usable.”
RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said police checked out the damage, but didn’t have any surveillance footage or leads to go on.
“Police would appreciate any witnesses,” Moskaluk said.
“It’s a senseless act of vandalism that’s certainly going to affect this business and this day care,” he said. “It’s a shame for these children, because their activities have to be curtailed for the day until the repairs are made.”