The Squamish BMX Racing Club is scrambling to save their competition season after an arsonist destroyed a moto shed and thousands of dollars worth of equipment inside late Tuesday night (June 1).
"All the stuff that's taken us two years to put in place is gone," said club president Vicki Schenk.
Flames fully engulfed the shed when firefighters arrived to the blaze, which was called in at 42 minutes past midnight, according to firefighter Bob Fulton.
Although the shed did have an electrical outlet, and a thorough investigation has yet to be completed, Fire Rescue representatives feel secure in its initial assessment of arson.
"It's a set fire," said Fulton.
Fire Rescue is once again sending out a call to the public to be vigilant after two other suspicious fires occurred over the last 10 days, beginning with a blaze at the Chieftain Hotel's vacant annex building Sunday May 23, and another at a vacant single family home on Sixth Avenue Sunday (May 30).
"It's worrisome that we've had several fires in the last week and a half that are suspicious," said Fulton. "Hopefully if people can be aware and watch what's going on, especially around their property, and if anything unusual or suspicious is happening to let the RCMP know."
The crime occurred mere weeks before upwards of 250 racers are expected to descend on the club's track at Brennan Park, and over 400 racers are anticipated in September.
Schenk said the organization is intent on going ahead with its provincial competition on July 4, but they need the public's help in replacing lost equipment such as a refrigerator needed for concession items, a barbecue, wireless headsets alone worth $800 T-shirts, filing cabinets and office supplies.
The club is even worse off than it was before the shed was donated by Quantlen College since it also contained the equipment needed to put up a temporary structure on raceday.
"Before we had the moto shed we would just set up a pop-up tent and put a fold out table underneath it," said Schenk. "All that stuff that we set up temporarily is now gone."
Schenk called the situation "sad."
"We have about 80 people showing up every week for a race, and that doesn't include the people that just go to the track for fun on a regular basis," she said.
"I just think it's really sad to take something away from the kids. It's disappointing, really disappointing that someone would do that to a public structure that is important to so many people."
Schenk is asking the public to help rebuild the club by donating equipment such asa refrigerator, barbecue, tables and tents, as well as cash.
Potential donors and individuals requiring more information can call Schenk at 604 892-7854, or go to the club website at squamishbmx.com.
