
Concerns have been raised surrounding acts of vandalism at South Lake Leisure Centre after “hundreds” of keys were reportedly “snapped off” in changing room lockers.
A member of the leisure centre contacted Armagh I on Friday to explain that on his most recent visit to the council-run leisure facility in Craigavon he noticed the first two bays of lockers for the swimming pool were out of use.
He explained: “Initially, I thought the lockers had all been taken. You have to look quite closely to see that the keys have actually been snapped off in the locks.
“I checked around as much as I could and am fairly certain that there could be hundreds of lockers damaged”.
The member described the first two bays as being the most severely impacted, stating that the back rows “weren’t too bad” and was able to secure a working locker in the fourth bay.
Before leaving, the man made staff at the leisure centre reception desk aware of what he had encountered. He claims that the staff he spoke with said they “were aware of the problem” but said he was unsure if they were aware of its extent.
They keys to the lockers at South Lake Leisure Centre are attached to “coloured, rubber wrist bands” which are released once a £1 coin is inserted into the internal mechanism.
The member did not notice any wrist bands laying in the vicinity of the damaged lockers and for this reason believes the culprits responsible may have “taken the evidence with them”.
Armagh I contacted Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for comment.