By Conor Sharkey
BURNDENNETT Cricket Club members hope to be back in business within weeks, in defiance of the arsonists who set fire to their clubhouse at the weekend.
Severe structural damage was caused to the poopular clubhouse following a deliberate fire in the early hours of Saturday. Speaking earlier this week Fire Service District Commander Willie Lynch confirmed the blaze was started in an open bottle store before spreading to an oil tank. He added that the building will probably have to be demolished.
But speaking on Monday, Cricket Club committee member Declan McGettigan said he and other club members were determined to get the much-loved club back up and running in time for Christmas.
"We haven't a clue why the club was targetted. We have never had any bother in the past and we really have no idea why it was burnt," he said.
"The club is a social point for almost everyone within a three mile radius, so we are all heartbroken. The local children are asking about Santa who comes to the club every year, so we don't want to let them down and we are looking at setting up some temporary accommodation. A new club is due to open early in the new year, but we hope to have something temporary in place before that."
Mr McGettigan added that serious damage to the roof of the building means that it most likely will have to be pulled down.
The attack also brought strong condemnation from local MLA Claire Mc Gill. She described the attack as "a cruel and devastating blow against the local community".
Speaking following a visit to the club, Ms McGill said: "There was a palpable sense of loss amongst the community in Burdennett today.
"The club has been a central social focal point for the local community for 35 years and for this facility to be robbed from their midst in a suspected overnight arson attack is a cruel and devastating blow.
"Although a new build for the club is well underway, work still needs to be carried out to the interior before it can open. Many events and activities were planned to take place in the old premises in the lead up to Christmas but given the extent of the damage caused, it is now essential everything possible is now done to ensure that the remaining work at the new premises is completed as soon as possible and that every assistance necessary is provided to achieve this outcome," she said.
Chairman of Strabane District Council, Jarlath McNulty added his condemnation, describing the incident as 'deeply saddening'.
"Burndennet cricket club was much more than a cricket club, it was a thriving centre of social activity and positive community spirit.
"I sincerely hope that this incident was not malicious and would urge anyone with any information to come forward. It is a devastating loss to the local community – particularly as it would have been somewhere where local people get together in the winter months ahead and over the Christmas period. It is deeply saddening news."
Ulster Unionist councillor Derek Hussey echoed the comments, saying he was disappointed as cricket has long been a unifying sport across the entire District.
