Drinkers hitting centre

Young drinkers have been making life a misery at the Avenue Road Community Centre.
Avenue Road Community Centre.Avenue Road Community Centre.
Avenue Road Community Centre.

The popular and normally trouble free Avenue Road Community Centre in Lurgan has suffered from two attempted break-ins including arson over the last two weeks.

The Craigavon Borough Council run community centre is suffering from around 15-20 youths using the property at night for drinking.

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As a result they tried to break in through the skylights and also tried to set the building on fire resulting in costly repairs

“This is not on,” commented Chair of the council’s Development Committee Councillor Mark Baxter, “Avenue Road is used by both young and old for a wide variety of activities including the kidzone pre-school enabling parents to leave their children in a safe environment when working.

“Had the fire taken hold this would have been a huge loss to the local community.”

Activities at the Centre include Kidzone pre-school, playscheme, triathlon training, non dominational church, worldwide Church of God and Linzi Martin dance class.

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Craigavon Borough Council will prosecute people if found to be damaging Council property or even trespassing on Council property after hours.

It is also warning people particularly parents that the Centre is using anti-vandal paint which results in an obstinate glue like substance on their clothes, shoes and hands.

“Avenue Road is a community centre for everyone’s use in the community. The staff work hard in the centre to provide services the people want. People don’t want to see their centre trashed,” concluded Councillor Baxter.

The PSNI have been informed and are actively patrolling the area, but people are reminded that a criminal record can impact on both career and travelling aspirations.