UPDATE (12:00 pm):
Elk Valley RCMP has released more details about Saturday’s break and enter at the Fernie Aquatic Centre, while also updating their investigation into vandalism at the facility in October.
According to RCMP, officers immediately attended the break and enter on Saturday and made an arrest.
“Elk Valley RCMP Officers responded to a break and enter at the aquatic centre and arrested one very intoxicated man who was found sleeping inside the office on a cot,” said Cst. Debra Katerenchuk. “He was the lone suspect.”
The man has since been charged with Break and Enter with Intent to Commit Mischief. RCMP anticipates the man will make his first appearance in court on February 12, 2020.
Meanwhile, RCMP also provided an update on their lengthy investigation into vandalism at the Fernie Aquatic Centre back on October 13, 2019.
More: Fernie Aquatic Centre Vandalized (October 15, 2019)
RCMP responded to a report of extensive vandalism back on October 13, 2019, where police found several rocks and bricks thrown through the facility’s windows.
“Since that time, RCMP had been working extensively on this investigation and with an anonymous tip from Crime Stoppers, two male youths have been arrested and charged with Mischief Over $5,000,” said Cst. Katerenchuk.
Both of the youth suspects will appear in court on March 5, 2020.
RCMP said their investigation is not closed, however, noting that additional arrests may be made in the very near future.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Fernie Aquatic Centre was broken into over the weekend, marking the second such similar occurrence this year.
According to the City of Fernie, a suspect or suspects, broke into the facility Saturday morning, prompting staff to shut down the pool and begin their clean up efforts.
Elk Valley RCMP arrived at the scene and began their investigation, hoping to find any leads.
At this time, it is unclear the full extent of the damage to the aquatic centre.
This is now the second similar incident to happen at the facility in 2019, as suspects threw rocks and bricks through the Fernie Aquatic Centre’s windows back in October over the Thanksgiving weekend.
More: Fernie Aquatic Centre Vandalized (October 15, 2019)
RCMP are still investigating the previous vandalism and now have a new investigation into the recent break and enter.
The Fernie Aquatic Centre was closed off to the public on Saturday but was able to reopen on Sunday with its regular hours and programming.
Anyone that may have information about the break-in on Saturday is asked to contact Elk Valley RCMP at 250-423-4404 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.