When Sudbury's Rotarians found out someone had stolen the Rotary Club wheel in Rotary Park, their shock was followed by determination to replace the park's symbol.
Greater Sudbury Police reported Thursday the stainless steel sign, valued at around $4,000, was stolen from the New Sudbury park between May 19 and May 27.
“We were surprised anyone would be so bold and uncaring that they would do something like that,” said Brian Smith, the Rotary Park chair for the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers.
The Rotary wheel, which is around three feet in diameter, and weights at least 200 lbs., was built by the local fabrication company Lopes Ltd.
Felix Lopes, the company's owner, donated the time and materials necessary to build the wheel, which represents the Rotary International logo.
“He took a great deal of pride in this,” Smith said.
When Lopes found out someone stole the sign Smith said his outrage and disbelief was followed by a new determination to replace the symbol.
Lopes has partnered with his main local competitor, Anmar Mechanical, to replace the Rotary wheel.
Anmar Mechanical will donate the high-grade stainless steel for the sign and Lopes Ltd. will carve out the rotary wheel at their fabrication shop.
Smith said there is no timeline yet to complete the new sign.
If police can recover the old sign, which was only installed Dec, 17, 2015, Smith said they will find a good use for it.
Anyone with information about the stolen Rotary wheel can call Crime Stoppers at 705-222-TIPS (8477).
