Vandals go mad on Tynemouth crazy golf course

Jan 20 2009 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

VANDALS caused £10,000 of damage in a “mindless” attack on a Tynemouth crazy golf course.

Ron Scott’s Lost World Adventure site by the seafront in Tynemouth Park has been plagued by petty crime and destruction since it opened in 2004.

But the latest attack has left the owner wondering whether his business can survive.

Vandals uprooted and destroyed an 11ft dinosaur model and damaged four others – all of which were imported from the Phillipines. Mr Scott is now having to foot a £10,000 bill.

It is thought the attack happened at some point on Wednesday evening, but because the facility is closed mid-week during winter, Mr Scott only noticed on Saturday morning.

The Tynemouth hotel owner, who is currently waiting to hear the fate of his plans to build the country’s largest artificial open-air ice skating rink, fears the worst for his business.

He said: “This is a very difficult time for everyone and now I am having to pay a £10,000 bill. How am I suppose to do that?

“When I was walking my dog I saw all this broken glass and then I noticed that the model had been pulled up and smashed.

“There were other ones that they had tried to steal, but they were too heavy to lift over the fencing.

“Another hit like this mindless attack and we may go out of business. Security is essential, but it is something that our business as a seasonal operation can't afford.

“Without the ice rink to provide a winter leg to our business as well as giving us much needed security it could be, like lots of other businesses in the area, that we may have to close. That will mean the cafe closes and the golf course is left empty.”

Last month The Journal revealed Mr Scott’s plans to construct the ambitious ice rink on the playground next to the golf course.

In an application submitted to North Tyneside Council, the 56-year-old, who owns the No. 61 Guest House and Tea Rooms on Front Street in Tynemouth with wife Carol, said the rink would measure 32m by 17m. It would also be accompanied by a smaller skating arena for children and, if it got the go-ahead, would be the biggest outdoor skating venue in England.

The surface of the ice would employ innovative technology so it could be used all year round.

But North Tyneside Mayor John Harrison has voiced concerns, describing the application as “premature”.

Mr Scott last night said the new venture would save his other businesses and would help to curb anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said: “Further vandalism could be prevented and we think that the ice rink is key.

“It will be open every evening until 9pm and it will give kids a controlled environment to get together.

“I think some people are overreacting to what they think will be a problem rather than fully considering the reality of the proposal.

“We are talking about a site less than 40m by 40m.

“It is hardly of arena proportions. Yes it will be the biggest synthetic ice rink in England, but then again that is not a great claim as there are very few around.

“We need to put this in perspective.”

The application is scheduled to go before the local authority’s planning committee a week today.

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