Broken glass left in Hammond Pool by teen vandals has caused Maple Ridge City Hall to close the facility for the balance of the summer.
The pool had been scheduled to close on Sept. 10, but the serious vandalism on Aug. 26 and shattered bottles mean the pool will need to be drained and thoroughly cleaned now, before it can be safely used.
The closure comes at an inconvenient time for user groups, and the swimming public, because the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre is closed for scheduled maintenance until Sept. 11. That means those wanting to go for a dip will need to leave the city.
City staff are currently assessing the full extent of the damage and determining the necessary repairs to restore the pool to a safe and operational condition and meet public health guidelines.
All pool programs, including public swimming, swim lessons, and Aquafit, have been cancelled for the remainder of the season. Swim lesson registrants will be contacted directly, and fees will be prorated.
“We understand the importance of the Hammond Pool, especially during the summer months and recognize the inconvenience this causes to our community,” said Cidalia Martin, director of recreation services.
“We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we work through this unfortunate situation. We are working on offering activities at local parks and spray parks for kids and families to use during the upcoming warm weather for the long weekend.”
The city is working with the Ridge Meadows RCMP to investigate the incident. A park caretaker saw a group of approximately 12 young teen boys, and twice ordered them off the property.
Area residents report seeing teens in the pool on social media, as the incident was discussed in social media, including on the Hammond Neighbours Facebook Page.
"[It] looked like they were naked, so I didn’t feel comfortable approaching them," said one person.
It was also noted that the teens left behind a Bose Bluetooth speaker.
Antoinetta DeWit was outraged that she and another 100 Aquafit participants lost their activity to the senseless vandalism.
"The news of poor judgement by some misguided or poorly reared anonymous people, has caused so much sadness and rendered the pool unusable for the rest of the season, and perhaps forever," she said.
Other damage included all of the signage around the facility being torn down.
Updates regarding the status of the Hammond Outdoor Pool and alternative arrangements will be provided as soon as more information becomes available. For the latest updates, please visit MapleRidge.ca/HammondPool or follow the city’s social media standards.
