The mood at the new Wascana Pool in Regina changed in a flash Thursday afternoon.
Smiles were replaced by solemn faces and tears, with onlookers saying there was an incident involving an irritant. Police later confirmed it was bear spray.
In a media release, police said officers responded at about 2:10 p.m. to the new pool. The release said police found “upwards of 200 patrons” suffering from the effects of bear spray.
“Witnesses told the officers that a group of four to five suspects wearing balaclavas and other face coverings entered the facility and began to discharge a can of bear spray,” the police release said. “Witnesses describe the suspects as males who are approximately 13 to 16 years old.”
Police are continuing to investigate and ask anyone with information to call them at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
After the bear spray was deployed, the pool was evacuated and people said they were told to stay away from the changerooms.
Some people who were at the pool on its opening day were seen leaving after the pool was cleared.
Social media posts showed the aftermath of the incident.
Just after 4:30 p.m., the City of Regina issued a media release saying the pool was to be closed the rest of the day. The release said police had responded “to an incident involving an altercation in the changeroom.”
The city said the pool is slated to reopen Friday.
“To ensure the safety of visitors and staff, increased security measures will be implemented including having security onsite,” the release added.
Smiles were replaced by solemn faces and tears, with onlookers saying there was an incident involving an irritant. Police later confirmed it was bear spray.
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Just hours after the new Wascana Pool opened for the season, the pool was forced to close after a bear spry incident.
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“Witnesses told the officers that a group of four to five suspects wearing balaclavas and other face coverings entered the facility and began to discharge a can of bear spray,” the police release said. “Witnesses describe the suspects as males who are approximately 13 to 16 years old.”
Bear spray incident shuts down new Wascana Pool on opening day
Following a reported bear spray incident, Regina’s Wascana Pool was shut down on the day of its much-anticipated reopening.
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After the bear spray was deployed, the pool was evacuated and people said they were told to stay away from the changerooms.
Some people who were at the pool on its opening day were seen leaving after the pool was cleared.
Social media posts showed the aftermath of the incident.
Wascana Pool’s opening day marred by bear spray incident
The mood at the new Wascana Pool in Regina changed in a flash Thursday afternoon. Smiles were replaced by sole...
www.cjme.com
The city said the pool is slated to reopen Friday.
“To ensure the safety of visitors and staff, increased security measures will be implemented including having security onsite,” the release added.