But it isn’t good for the Stoney Creek Optimist Club.

In less than a week the popular club was vandalized three times by youths searching for candies and ice cream treats, Hamilton police say.

On the night of July 7, someone attempted to enter the club. They smashed the pad-locked door and tried to jimmie the window, but were unable to break in. But that failed attempted only set the stage for further incidents the next week.

Police say on July 11 at around 11:30 p. m. a witness saw four youths racing from the club on Queenston Road only to scatter across the road and into the nearby residential complexes. Police, who have been keeping a wary eye on the club, chased some of the youths. One youth was caught by a police officer on foot carrying a Mr. Freeze, and Nestle ice cream drumsticks that had been taken from the club’s snack stand.

The youth, who can’t be named, was charged with break and enter, police said.

Crime analyst for division 2 of the Hamilton Police Kathleen Durant said the youths forced open the steel blinds on the club’s window, and broke open the locked door.

Not to be outdone, someone attempted to break into the club’s snack bar again the following night, but failed.

“The club is fairly secluded,” said Durant. “Once the pool and tennis courts close down, there really isn’t a need for some one to be done there.”

Police officers have provided the club with a few safety tips, including making sure alarms are triggered when the window’s blinds are rattled from the exterior. Durant said the club does have alarms in the building.

A call to the club’s secretary was referred to the president of the Optimist Club, Ian Carter. He did not return a phone call from the Stoney Creek News seeking a comment.

Durant said during the season Hamilton Police have been conducting their summer safe program for parks. She said undercover officers tour municipal parks looking for nagging problems such as drinking, rowdy behavior and other criminal activities. The Optimist Club’s location has become a prime area for the police’s surveillance program over the last few weeks.

“We have a crew active and they have been quite effective,” said Durant. “The police have an eye out for that area.”