Softball Otago executive members Jill Johnson and Trevor
Quigley with gates similar to the 50 that have been stolen
from Ellis Park. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Softball Otago officials are appealing for public help
following the theft of more than 50 gates worth $8000 from
Dunedin's Ellis Park.
Executive officer Jill Johnson was shocked yesterday when she
discovered a stack of 3m by 90cm gates, used for outfield
fencing, had been stolen.
The gates were piled behind the clubrooms shared by Softball
Otago and the Roslyn-Wakari football club at Ellis Park.
"We got a bit of a shock to walk around the corner and find
them gone," Johnson told the Otago Daily Times.
"It has taken a substantial effort to take them. Moving
50-plus gates would not have been easy," she said.
Johnson said the gates, tucked away in a relatively hidden
spot, could have been stolen any time in the past month.
They were not insured and Softball Otago will now have to try
to raise more funds to replace them.
They were to be used to ring the outfield of Ellis Park's
diamond No 6.
"It's particularly frustrating for us because we've got the
Masters Games softball in February and then the South Island
junior secondary schools tournament in March," Johnson said.
"We certainly won't be replacing the gates this season."
Ellis Park is surrounded on one side by high-level housing
and Johnson said she hoped a member of the public might have
seen something which could provide a clue to the gates'
disappearance.
Dunedin police are investigating the theft.
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