Vandals topple pole at Richmond night market
The operator of Richmond's open-air night market says he feels targeted after someone vandalized the property only weeks before it was set to open.
Sometime on Saturday, vandals toppled an electricity pole, effectively cutting power from the hundreds of merchants that were preparing to do business when the market opens on May 30.
"Obviously at first, we thought someone was trying to steal cable and copper, but all the cable was left there," said Paul Cheung of Lions Communications, which is applying for a permit to open the night market this summer.
"I cannot believe that this is anything other than someone wanting to stop the market from opening," Cheung told CTV News. "I don't know anyone who would not want the market to open."
Richmond's night market is a major tourist draw, attracting 30,000 per night to its 400 booths.
Cheung said he has called the Richmond RCMP and set up an appointment with electricians on Monday to determine the damage.
Right now, he is estimating that to fix the pole and restore power would cost about $5,000 -- but that's not the main problem.
"It's a matter of whether we can open in time," said Cheung. "Every day that this market is delayed, it's a big loss of revenue (for the merchants). It could be up to $50,000 per day."
The City of Richmond granted Cheung the temporary permit to operate the night market between May 30 and October 5, 2008, though that permit still must go to a public hearing on May 20.
The market will be held Friday, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Cheung said he hopes that the public will help find who vandalized the pole, and support the night market.
http://www.summernightmarket.com/
[ 本帖最後由 Ken 於 2008-5-12 09:11 編輯 ] |
發表於 2008-5-12 09:04
| 
