News TheReview Wednesday, December 9, 1992 — C2 Fate unknown as ag hall vandalized by Paul Wyke The Review Windows are being smashed, boards are getting ripped off the walls and fires are being set while Central Saanich council is attempting to ensure that the old agricultural hall on the former Saanichton fairgrounds is not demolished. According to Polo Park Devel- opments partner Mery Mawson, the hall is being vandalized by young people in the area quite regularly. Despite attempts to secure the building by bolting doors and nailing windows shut, “the ingeni- ous vandals are still finding their way in,’ Mawson said Thursday. “Unfortunately, without physi- cally boarding up the entre build- ing, there’s no way of stopping the vandalism. Right now I don’t think there’s a window in the whole place without broken glass,” he said. During routine checks of the area, kids are repeatedly being told to leave the property by Central Saanich police and fire officials, Mawson added. Meanwhile, Polo Park is waiting for Central Saanich to finish the area plan that will ultimately set the stage for destruction or restora- tion of the agricultural hall. “We're hopeful that the Saani- chton/Keating Ridge local area ABANDONED AG HALL on East Saanich Road is being vandalized and used as a hangout by local youths. plan is adopted. We would then be put in a position to go through negotiation for future development of the site,” he said. In response to demands that the hall be preserved, Mawson pro- posed to council at a public meet- ing on Sept. 28 that a provision for a limited amount of commercial development be added to the Saa- nich/Keating area plan. That provision was passed by council in a 5-2 vote on Oct. 5. Restoration costs for the old agricultural hall have been esti- mated around the $250,000 mark. “I think we’re very close on Central Saanich coming to an agreement. But there’s no sense spending money if they’re even- tually going to tear it down any- way,” Mawson said. If the hall is to be saved and the vandalism stopped, then immedi- ate measures should be taken to board the building up and have it winterized, he added. Stop the pickpocket in your travels Stop that Pickpocket! Travelers should be aware that: 1. Although some pickpockets work alone, most work in teams of three or more. One distracts you while another takes your wallet and hands it to a third person. -2. Pickpockets look for easiest targets: women with purses, elderly people, and foreigners car- rying lots of cash. 3. Pickpockets can dress in any style and be of any age, sex, race or nationality; they are usually the last person you’d suspect. 4. Common distractions are used; watch for someone pushing you in a crowd, stopping suddenly in front of you, or asking for information. Security tips 1. 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