Maison des jeunes in Mansfield closes changing room after vandalism

On January 29, 2023, the Maisons des jeunes du Pontiac announced that they would be closing the indoor changing room at the youth center in Mansfield-et-Pontefract, which has formerly served as warm area to allow youth to strap on their skates and warm up next to the hockey rink.

The decision comes after finding vandalism inside the youth centre’s changing room on January 28. The Maisons des jeunes du Pontiac directors say the rink will remain open, but people will have to put on their skates outside on the picnic tables.

“It is very important to understand that the Pontiac Youth Centers work closely with the municipality of Mansfield-et-Pontefract to provide recreational infrastructure to residents. When this kind of incident occurs, it generates repair costs and harms the services we can offer to the youth and adults that use our rink,” the Maisons des jeunes du Pontiac management team said on Facebook.