Police are investigating the theft of a sign at the newly renovated Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.

Thieves made off with orange letters spelling out “Tiger Pride,” but Superintendent Jeremy Ray says that pride remains as strong as ever.

“This will be something that will just make us stronger,” Ray said Friday night. “It will bring us together even more and our volunteers are even more determined to make sure we move forward.”

Ray said the theft occurred Thursday night. Volunteers had been at the field until 9:30 p.m. after putting some finishing touches on an 18-month renovation of the athletic facility.

The project included a new turf field, bleachers, a press box, lights and groundwork. Much of the project was done with funding, supplies and labor donated by the community.

The theft was discovered around 11 a.m. Friday, Ray said, valuing the loss at over $1,000.

“There is a lot of sweat equity in this field, for sure,” he said. “That’s what’s disappointing.”

Ray said the first field hockey game is scheduled to be held next Friday at the field, before the grand opening on Sept. 7. He said new lettering will be ordered and installed as soon as possible.

New security cameras are scheduled to be installed Monday, he said.

Bil Moriarty , a former school board member whose daughter recently graduated from Biddeford High School, said he and other community members are upset by the theft, especially because the project was nearly finished.

“It’s frustrating. After months and months and months of watching these volunteers go in on the weekends and afternoons, on rainy days and 100-degree days – that’s insane,” Moriarty said. “That’s horrible for someone to go in and desecrate this beautiful stadium. But it’s not going to get us down. We’re going to keep going.”

Moriarty echoed Ray’s words about Tiger Pride. “Even if the words aren’t there, we all feel it and we all know it,” he said.

Biddeford police did not have any information to release Friday night, but Ray said they were “working diligently” to find the culprit or culprits.

“It’s disappointing that someone would do that, but with our group of volunteers we have here working on this field, they won’t be deterred by this,” Ray said. “It’s a sign that says ‘Tiger Pride.’ And Tiger Pride is really what these volunteers have been all about.”

Randy Billings can be contacted at 791-6346 or at:

rbillings@pressherald.com

Twitter: randybillings