It probably took just a short time for a vandal or vandals to destroy 32 trees on Lerwick Road, trees that had been growing in place for up to four years.

It will take a small army of volunteers an entire morning to repair some of the damage — a display of civic pride that the City of Courtenay hopes will send a message to the culprits.

This Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, members of the Courtenay Rotary Club will be out in force on Lerwick Road to dig up and replace the trees that were vandalized over the September long weekend.

“We’re really grateful to Courtenay Rotary for doing this,” said Mayor Greg Phelps. “It’s not just about the labour. It’s symbolic to have community volunteers coming together to replant these trees. It shows that we as a community won’t stand for this type of behaviour.”

In addition to the trees, the vandalism also included the destruction of several irrigation heads. In all, the damage was over $20,000.

No charges have been laid by RCMP, and there is no word on suspects. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the Comox Valley RCMP detachment at 250-338-1321.

The replanting will set back the city’s vision for a thick tree canopy along Lerwick Road, as the new trees will take a few more years to reach maturity. However, the volunteers from Courtenay Rotary are helping the City of Courtenay to find something positive in the situation.

“Courtenay has a long history of community volunteers helping to beautify the city,” said Randy Wiwchar, the city’s director of community services. “Just look at the Mile of Flowers. We depend on hundreds of people each year to plant the beds along Cliffe Avenue.”

“Courtenay Rotary always seems to step up when there are challenges like this,” continued Wiwchar. “Whether it’s fundraising for Simms Park and the Pavilion, the Waterpark, the Linc Youth Centre, the Riverway — I could go on and on. The entire community benefits from their generosity.”

Drivers are asked to pay extra attention while commuting along Lerwick Road on Saturday morning. Volunteers will be digging and planting on the east side of Lerwick, and the sidewalk may also be congested while the work is taking place.

For more information, call the City of Courtenay at 250-334-4441.

— City of Courtenay