An RCMP investigation is underway after several pieces of equipment were set on fire at the Prince Rupert Golf Club in the late hours of Jan. 13.
A golf cart, truck and tractor were among the equipment that has been burned, which golf pro Shawn Fagan estimates will cost more than $150,000 to replace.
The RCMP has concluded that this was an act of arson, with the offenders breaching the fenced-off area where the golf course’s equipment was stored.
Finding replacement equipment will not be easy for the golf club. Fagan said a previous order made last July only recently arrived in Prince Rupert, and he is worried the club will be left shorthanded once it is time to open up for the 2024 season.
“To replace everything that burned down brand new is $150,000. Obviously, it wasn’t brand new equipment, but we obviously can’t use it either now,” he said.
Fagan said there was a smaller, less damaging fire set on the evening of Jan. 6. Both occurrences were immediately after Prince Rupert Rampage games, which are held at the nearby Jim Ciccone Arena.
There has also been plenty of community support for the club following the fire. Fagan said the club’s Facebook post received more than 15,000 views and 200 shares, much more traffic than the site usually gets.
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact the Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-624-2136.
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