Fire damage keeps Morley Recreation Centre closed
Two Morley men, aged 18 and 19, charged with arson
A fire this weekend in Morley has destroyed the community's recreation centre and two young men from the area have been charged with arson.
The recreation centre was the heart of Morley's community— the place for weddings, funerals, and gatherings.
But at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, part of the recreation centre was up in flames.
Dwayne Clayden, director of emergency services in Morley, said it was very hot and very smokey when the first crews arrived so it had been burning for a while. Crews stopped the fire before it spread too far into the gym or arena.
An hour later, a grass fire burned in the Bearspaw Flood Relief Camp.
Two men, aged 18 and 19, are expected in court next month, charged with arson, break-and-enter with intent to commit arson, and being unlawfully in a dwelling house.
Tasina Pope, who works with youth to help them find summer jobs, said some of the teenagers in the community have no direction.
"It's kind of devastating to see that they're bored," said Pope. "It's just because they don't know what to do with their life, really."
For now youth in Morley will have one less entertainment option — the gym will need to be repaired before they can use that space again.
