Occupied for about eight weeks by travelers, the premises of the Tolousain du Lévrier de Course Club were found in a deplorable condition. The club could be forced to close permanently.
“They stole everything, piece by piece. There is no racing equipment or tools left. The tables are gone, as are the coffee and beer machines. There is nothing and everything “The rest is broken even the false ceiling and defecated in the whole building”.
With a shaky voice, Stéphane* describes the state in which the premises of the Club Tolousain du Lévrier de Course were discovered after a group of travelers passed by. Arriving in mid-July, the latter directly decided to illegally occupy the site and its surroundings. A temporary camp where they stayed for about two months, leaving behind only a lot of material damage.
“All the water supplies and the whole electricity system have been damaged, I think the message is pretty clear. They left a field of ruins to take over the place. This regular visitor, for whom greyhound racing represents forty years of life, regrets the inaction of the police before this event: “No one did anything. The police only wanted to move after they left to make the observation.” In previous years, several caravans had set up opposite the dog run, on unused land, before the city council decided to build mounds there to prevent access.
Significant damage and planned closure
Although the damage is considerable, the club has not yet received any communication from Toulouse Métropole, who owns the venue. “At the moment, the club has not had any feedback. No one knows how it will be reimbursed because the damage has not been quantified and they certainly won't be able to determine the price of the equipment which is too old and even outdated,” he participated. in the smooth running of the races and the life of the club” worries Stéphane.
“I don't see any positive outcome in this matter. The season is already over and, given the extent of the work to be carried out, it will be impossible to resume for many months. And then there would be no point in reinvesting so much money in equipment and work if it is stolen again next time This time it is probably the end of the whole club” complains the one who frequents the club for more than fifteen years. This is a second hard blow in the history of CTLC, which had already been forced to is moving from its former site in Blagnac during the construction of the A380 assembly plants in 2007. Contacted, the city of Toulouse will respond later.