The fun will go on at the fifth annual Art Knapp's Funland this fall despite a break-in last week that resulted in thousands of dollars in damage.
Art Knapp owner Wim Vander Zalm discovered the damage Thursday morning: expensive tools used to set up the rides had been stolen and the thief cut the large cables that power the rides, presumably for the tiny copper wires inside.
"A chunk of wire might be worth a few bucks but to repair it is thousands," Vander Zalm said. "But to take it from rides that are going to entertain kids is pathetic. That's a real demented mind."
Instead of putting the finishing touches on Funland, due to open Sept. 22, Vander Zalm is just hoping the new cables and ends - being flown in from Germany - will arrive on time and that they'll be the right ones.
"It's just sad because he were prepping to be open and Home Depot doesn't sell these," he joked.
Vander Zalm has also brought in two extra electricians, who are doing their best to re-assemble the complex wiring mechanisms one wire at a time. He expects it will likely cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 to repair all the damage.
Coquitlam RCMP Const. Jamie Phillipson said no suspects have been identified. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2012-23918.
Funland, set to run Sept. 22 to Oct. 31, features kids' rides, a haunted tunnel (as well as a less-spooky version for little ones), haybale rides a zipline and more. The free event (some rides require tickets) raises money for juvenile diabetes; last year, Art Knapp's Funland raised about $10,000.
The Art Knapp's Funland (1300 Dominion Ave., PoCo) runs during normal store hours: Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Saturday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.artknapps.ca for more information.
