"We had to sit down and explain what had happened to them. It's annoying that they have to see this happen in their community and to something valuable to them."
The community had rallied behind the centre with donations rolling in on their Givealittle page plus offers for a replacement TV.
The Merivale Community Centre. Photo / Google Maps
She said they were happy that nothing else was taken as everything in the room held "massive value" to them. As a centre that relied solely on grants and community funding, she said acts like this can crippling.
They could not afford security cameras but did have an alarm system in place. She said this was something she would have to consider forking out for now.
She said she was aware that the wider community were struggling right now and if taking TV may help someone feed their family, it was not the end of the world.
"I don't think it was malicious and we aren't feeling unsafe as such."
A police spokeswoman said they had received a report of a burglary around 8.50pm at an address on Kesteven Ave.
The case was being assessed, no other details were available at this stage, she said.
