‘A lifeline for thousands of visitors’: Thousand Islands Playhouse golf cart found partly submerged in river

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information from Const. Chris Murdock of the Gananoque Police Service

An important accessibility piece of Gananoque’s Thousand Islands Playhouse was vandalized sometime over the night of Aug. 11-12.

“In the middle of the night, someone made the decision to push our beloved golf cart into the St. Lawrence River,” a social media post from the playhouse states, alongside a photo of the golf cart partly submerged in the river along the rocks in front of the theatre.

Const. Chris Murdock of the Gananoque Police Service told Brockvilleist that it is believed to have occurred between 3:30 and 4 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 12.

“An unknown suspect or suspect(s) pushed the golf cart down the hill and into the river,” Murdock said. “We have a person of interest seen leaving the area on an electric scooter.”

Police do not have a description of the suspect yet, and are waiting on more video footage.

“For those that visit us, this golf cart means much more than simply a way to get from tee to pin,” the Playhouse’s post explains. “It allows us to provide shuttle service from the street level to the waterfront Springer Theatre for those with mobility issues.”

The post says that this shuttle is “a lifeline for thousands of visitors,” allowing them to attend productions. “Unfortunately, this simple act of malice could seriously impact their ability to do so.”

“As theatre makers we strive to promote empathy and understanding for our world,” the post concludes. “Some days, it’s harder than others.”

The golf cart is valued at $12,000, but Murdock said it’s unknown what the total damage is estimated at, and if the cart can be repaired.

Anyone with information can contact Murdock at cmurdock@gananoquepolice.com or 613-382-4422.

Brockvilleist will provide more details on this matter as they are made available.