Kamloops staff member assaulted as pool demolition set to begin

Heavy equipment at McDonald Park to demolish the pool (BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

April 13, 2016 - 2:28 PM

KAMLOOPS - As equipment was being unloaded for the demolition of the McDonald Park Pool a city staff member was assaulted.

Community Safety and Enforcement Manager Jon Wilson says a local resident hit him with a vehicle while Wilson was keeping pool access clear for heavy equipment. Wilson says after he was hit police were contacted.

Police were called at 11:15 a.m. to investigate the incident and arrested a 61-year-old man, according to an RCMP press release. The release says the man was arrested in his home and resisted arrest. Police are recommending charges of assault with a weapon and resisting arrest.

The McDonald Park Pool is being demolished after council voted to replace the pool with a wading pool.

In a press release the city says starting today, April 13, heavy equipment will be at McDonald Park to begin the demolition process of the old pool and construction will soon begin on a wading pool in the park.

A presentation by a group of McDonald Pool users failed to sway city council to save the pool at the April 12 council meeting. Brenda Prevost said the neighbourhood thought council would be deciding between a new leisure pool or keeping all the pools in north Kamloops, not some of the pools being kept open and no plan for a new leisure pool.

Coun. Donovan Cavers said he spoke to people holding a rally to save the pool on the weekend and brought forward a motion to reconsider demolishing the pool, but after debate council decided to stand by their previous decision to move forward with the new wading pool.

Council held four public consultations to discuss the future of aquatics facilities in the North Shore, Brocklehurst and Westsyde neighbourhoods after repair issues were identified at the Westsyde Pool and McDonald Park Pool. They decided to repair Westsyde Pool and keep the Brocklehurst pool operating as well.

The press release says the wading pool will be open early this summer.

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