Burnt remains of Thompson Valley ORV Club C-Can. (Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

vandalism

Thompson Valley Off-Road Vehicle Club storage broken into, equipment torched

Feb 7, 2023 | 4:16 PM

KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Valley Off-Road Vehicle Club says an act of senseless vandalism will cost them an estimated $45,000.

Five kilometres off the highway on Greenstone Mountain — in what seems to be the middle of nowhere — the Thompson Valley ORV Club stores its equipment in a locked sea can.

The club has experienced some vandalism over the years but members of the club were shocked to find their storage centre burgled and set ablaze.

“When we walked in smelled the air and the ash is still fluffing around, and it’s just disbelief – is what I feel,” said Jane D’Silva, president of the Logan Lake ORV Club and member of the Thompson Valley ORV Club.

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The volunteer-run club maintains the trails and campground at the Pendleton Creek Recreation Site. It’s now looking at a $45,000 bill to replace what was lost.

“It’s devastating. It’s unbelievable that someone would do something like this. It’s just huge,” President of ATV BC Chris D’Silva told CFJC Today.

“We’re a volunteer organization. We work very hard to provide recreational opportunities to people and then you get something like this happen and you just say to yourself, ‘Why do people do that?’”

According to the club, only a chainsaw and a weed wacker were taken, but the fire destroyed thousands of dollars in trail signage and maintenance equipment.

Jane finds it very frustrating, considering the amount of time and energy they put into maintaining the site.

“A lot of us say, ‘Why would we do that? Is someone gonna come along and destroy it?’” she explained. “It does make you wonder, ‘Why am I doing this?’”

The club has set up a GoFundMe page for monetary donations.

They are also asking for any other donations to help replace what was lost, including tools, shovels, turkey cookers and anything else they might be able to use in the bush.

The club anticipates a slightly slower start to the season this spring without the proper equipment.

However, Jane says they won’t be letting the vandals ruin any of their adventures.

“You know what, quad riders — we rebound and we will go. We will make it work,” she said. “What’s most important is the trails, the safety of the trails, and the rest is just part of it.”