Vandalism forces pool closure
A break-in at the newly renovated Clinton pool, where an unknown substance was spread throughout the interior, has forced closure of the complex.
Clinton Community Pools president Lisa Anderson said the complex was closed on Thursday, following an incident on Tuesday night, when a type of powder was sprinkled around the two pools.
The newly revamped complex, for which the south Otago community raised $127,000 to replace the roof and refurbish the interior, reopened in November.
‘‘We are absolutely devastated to think that anyone would do anything like this in our community.’’
It was unknown at this stage how entry was gained, but the vandalism was believed to have been done between 9.15pm and 10.30pm, after the pool closed.
Anderson said closure could not have happened at a worse time, with school swimming championships coming up and the summer season in full swing.
Senior Constable Richard Whitmore, of Clinton, said police had organised for the powder to be analysed. He said identification would determine whether the pools had to be drained of water because of contamination.
Until the results were known, the complex would remain closed.
The incident was ‘‘disappointing’’ in light of the extensive community effort that had gone into renovating the pool, he said.
Police were concerned about the impact on the community, he said.
Police are keen to hear from anyone with information, or who saw anything suspicious around the pool area on Tuesday night. People with information could call Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
Boy hit by car in Garston
A boy is suffering shock, but is otherwise uninjured, after being hit by a car in Garston, in northern Southland. A police media spokeswoman said police were called to reports of a child being hit by a car near a playground about 11am. Police and ambulance arrived at the scene about 11.20am, she said. The child was suffering from shock, the spokeswoman said. A St John Ambulance spokesman said two ambulances were sent to the incident on the Kingston-Garston Highway. A boy, aged under 10, was assessed as uninjured and did not require transport, the spokesman said.
One injured in car rollover
A person has been taken to Southland Hospital with moderate injuries after a crash near Te Anau. A police communications spokeswoman said police were called to the vehicle rollover about 5.30am. The crash happened on the Te AnauMossburn Highway between Wilderness Rd and Lagoon Creek Rd, she said. A St John spokesman said ambulance staff were alerted just after 5.30am. One patient was taken to Southland Hospital emergency department with moderate injuries.
Crash on Woodlands highway
One car was involved in a crash on the Invercargill-Woodlands Highway yesterday afternoon. The car came off the road and the driver was taken to Southland hospital with minor injuries. The crash happened at 4.54pm at about 9km from Invercargill.
Meeting to discuss Bluff port
A public meeting will be held at the Bluff RSA on Saturday to discuss proposed changes to Bluff Port. SouthPort proposes to make the finger pier a designated commercial and fishing vessel facility and to close the west end of town wharf. Noncommerical vessels on the finger pier will need to find new locations to berth. The meeting held by concerned Bluff residents and berth holders will be open to the public and starts at 2pm.
Celebrate Parks Week
This year, Invercargill Parks Week will be March 4-12. The Invercargill City Council holds Parks Week to promote benefits the parks and open spaces provide. Parks Week includes an A&P show at Donovan Park on March 4, a Children’s Day on March 5 at Elizabeth Park, Surf to City and Summer Festival on March 12 and two Queens Park anniversaries, with dates to be decided. This year Queens Park marks 100 years of the Henry Edginton Rose Garden and 120 years since the name change from Victoria Park to Queens Park.