Upset children have been turned away from an Angus pool after a weekend of vandalism forced the council to close its doors for the last time.
Montrose swimming pool was due to close once the new Marine Avenue complex opens on November 17 but smashed glass in the water caused council officers to call time a month early, disappointing junior swimming club members.
Heather McCallum of Montrose and District Seals said: ”We are having a gala on the 19th of November and this means the children will have nowhere to go. I’ve been involved with the pool for 25 years in different ways and it is very sad for it just to stop just like that.”
Angus Council said the weekend of vandalism resulted in two windows being smashed and glass falling into the water. Pool staff made several attempts to remove the glass, but it was decided to close the pool, which would take several weeks and some considerable expense to drain, clean and refill.
Fitness and health suite facilities will continue to be available until November 11.
Montrose Liberal Democrat councillor David May said: ”I am very disappointed that the reckless actions of a minority of vandals have ruined the use of the pool for the rest of the town.
”This is not consistent with what’s happening in the town, judging from feedback from local police, so it is definitely a minority. I can only sympathise with those who use the pool and have lost out because of rash actions.”
Council leisure spokeswoman Jeanette Gaul said: ”It is disappointing and disheartening that ” a tiny minority of anti-social individuals are spoiling the facilities which we provide, at great public expense and at times of severe budget cuts, for the benefit of the whole community.
”In effect, the children and adults of Montrose and further afield are being deprived of swimming facilities for several weeks due to the behaviour of a small number of people.
”I urge members of the public to be vigilant and to contact Tayside Police immediately if they have any information on this recent deplorable, disgraceful incident.”
Ms McCallum said the club’s committee might contact other clubs, but many of the club members might not be able to go because of the different schedules.
”Maybe we can fit in with St Thomas (Arbroath) and Brechin (Beavers) clubs, but we won’t be able to get the same times and dates,” she said. ”Otherwise the club will have a gala at the new pool and they won’t have had any pool time before then.”
At the beginning of the month vandals targeted a £500,000 Angus playpark just two days after it was completed.
A heavy stone bollard was found uprooted at the West Links play area in Arbroath, which was officially opened days later.