I’d like to take this opportunity to share this Walsall Council press release with the Brownhills Blog readers. As you’ll all be well aware, Oak Park, like other leisure centres in Walsall, is under threat of closure. Now it seems the local moron fraternity is determined to give the council an excuse to shut the facility. It goes without saying that this act of wanton destruction is roundly condemned by the huge majority of the community within Walsall Wood and Brownhills, including the local kids. I noted the feeble attempt in the Express & Star tonight to imply that the skate park was somehow linked to the attack, which in my opinion is lazy and unnecessary.

This must be particularly heartbreaking for the local community teams including the local councillors, police and youth who have done so much in recent months to combat antisocial behaviour and encourage community cohesion in the area.

Please, if you know of the pondscum who were involved in this deplorable incident, or if you saw anything suspicious at all, please call Walsall Police on 0345 113 5000, or contact Crimestoppers.

Walsall Council  PR 5795    07/01/2011    [For Immediate Release]

Vandal attack at popular Walsall Wood leisure centre

Vandals have broken seven windows at Walsall Wood’s Oak Park Leisure Centre, landing the council with a repair bill running into thousands of pounds.

They are thought to have struck in the early hours of Thursday 30 December 2010.

The outer windows of the double glazed units were smashed, which overlook the swimming pool area of the leisure centre in Lichfield Road..

Families were able to use the centre as normal on Thursday 30 December because the damage was confined to the outer section of the windows.

The attack has been reported to police who are investigating.

Councillor Anthony Harris, Walsall Council cabinet member for leisure, culture and the environment, today urged anyone with any information to get in touch with the police.

He said: “I am incensed that the mindless minority could try and spoil things for the many decent people in the community who enjoy using the facilities at Oak Park.

“Thankfully it was business as usual and we were able to operate the centre as normal without inconveniencing people. But we now have to find thousands of pounds for repairs.

“If anyone saw anything suspicious or has any information that could catch the culprits I urge them to get in touch with the police.”

The windows will be repaired shortly.