Stoney Creek community centre reduces programming after a series of safety concerns

“My husband, my niece, they all told the kids, go do your thing down there, leave us alone, we’re trying to have a good Canada day and next thing I know, I hear everyone yelling “we just got bear maced,” says Gidget Boyer.

Gidget Boyer is fed up after she says some of her family members were injured during Canada Day at Dominic Agostino Riverdale Community Centre.

“Oh yeah, I got hit with it, I got the marks on my arm from the explosions, pegged me right in the chest,” Matthew Chapman, Boyer’s son, says.

Boyer and her son, Matthew Chapman say a group of teens set off fireworks in their direction, resulting in some needing medical attention.

Boyer adds safety concerns are growing at the facility.

“My granddaughter signed up for dance programs, she wants to use the pool,” Boyer says.

“These kids don’t care… they absolutely do not care.”

The violent holiday was just one of many incidents according to the City of Hamilton.

READ MORE: No one injured after massive house fire on Stoney Creek Mountain

City officials also confirm repeated events of harassment and vandalism at the recreation centre going as far back as May.

“From what I’m being told, it’s anywhere between 21 to 12 years old, that’s the age range of these individuals,” says Matt Francis, Hamilton Ward 5 councilor.

Francis says he’s spoken with police about making the facility a safety priority but believes if issues persist, the entire neighbourhood may be impacted.

“We’re trying to avoid a situation where we have to close this facility down but all options are certainly on the table,” the Ward 5 councillor says.

“It’s not something I want to do, it’s not something that’s popular but it’s becoming an unsafe situation.”

READ MORE: Two teens charged after acts of disorder in Oakville on Canada Day

The City of Hamilton’s Recreational Services says following the slew of incidents that were happening here, they had to make the tough decision to suspend night programming here at the facility.

“On June 2nd, we made the difficult decision to reduce programming in the evenings and maintained our operations from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,” says Victoria Kerekesch, Hamilton’s District Manager of recreation operations.

“It was a difficult decision, it wasn’t made lightly.”

Recreation manager Victoria Kerekesch is not ruling out further closures if violence continues.

However, earlier this week, activities in their classrooms, gymnasium and pool area were reinstated in the evening and refunds were issued from cancelled programs. She also says additional security measures were implemented.

“We have security guards at the front doors, we also maintained that it is locked for the time being. it will only be open by staff or security at this point in time,” Kerekesch says.

CHCH News reached out to Hamilton police and asked if officers had responded to any calls at the rec centre. They tell us there was a report of an assault on July 2, but did not provide any other details.

The City of Hamilton says in the meantime, they will continue with security and monitor the situation.