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Thursday, December 04, 2008, 08:30
The new front doors at the Hallcroft building – which was badly damaged by the fire last November – were attacked last week.
But Bassetlaw District Council has pledged the planned re-opening ceremony will still take place next Friday, December 12.
A1 Housing and the local authority revealed this week that officers and elected members were 'appalled' at the damage.
"Even before it is officially opened, the refurbished centre has been attacked by vandals who have seriously damaged the front doors," said Coun Mike Pugsley, Bassetlaw District Council cabinet member for Community Prosperity.
"It's very difficult to understand this kind of mindless behaviour.
"The facility belongs to everyone living in the community.
"And this includes whoever caused the damage.
"I don't believe they would do this to their own homes and they would certainly not look kindly on anyone else who did.
"Many people from different agencies have been working hard to make sure that the centre is open in time for Christmas.
"And there are various functions that have been planned by community organisations."
Don Spittlehouse, director of technical services and deputy managing director of A1 Housing, confirmed repairs had been carried out.
"There is no way to describe the frustration and anger of the people who have worked so hard to get the centre up and running again after the fire that practically destroyed it," said Mr Spittlehouse.
"They have taken great pride in their refurbishment work and have delivered a greatly improved facility to be enjoyed by the whole community.
"It makes no sense at all for anyone to deliberately try to wreck it.
"Why would anyone want to be so insulting to the groups and clubs who use the centre?
"The individuals who did this should know that criminal damage is taken very seriously indeed and that what they've done is being investigated by the police."
Notts Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
Meanwhile, pensioner Dot Mellors has hit out at the culprits.
"We took our dancing club to Clarborough Village Hall after the fire and we've been looked after very well," said Mrs Mellors, who lives near the Hallcroft centre with husband Sid.
"There are quite a few people who would be very happy if we stayed at Clarborough.
"But we've decided to return to Hallcroft in the New Year and have been invited to the official reopening at lunchtime next Friday.
"Let's just hope these vandals leave the place alone.
"It's been a target for years and only a couple of weeks back I was told that someone got in and stole a load of workmen's tools."
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