Skip to content

Olds Splash Park vandals identified and paying for damage

Two 17-year-old youths struck equipment with baseball bats; inflicted more than $5,000 damage
mvt splashpark-vandals
The two vandalism culprits can be seen here leaving the Olds Splash Park. Photo courtesy of Olds RCMP

OLDS — RCMP say two 17-year-old youths have admitted they were the ones who vandalized the splash park with baseball bats. 

Damage is estimated to be just over $5,000.  

RCMP received several tips from the public as to who was responsible for the vandalism. 

Police say the two youths quickly admitted they were the culprits and have agreed to pay for repairs. 

The incident occurred on Oct. 9 at 3:43 a.m.  

CCTV footage shows two young men parking a car near the splash park, walking into it carrying baseball bats, then coming back out about 10 minutes later, one carrying a piece of a sprinkler in his left hand. 

“In consideration of their age, lack of previous police involvement and immediately taking responsibility, and in consultation with the Town of Olds, it was decided that the matter would be resolved through alternative measures rather than charges,” Staff Sgt. Jim MacDonald wrote in an email. 

MacDonald said the motive for the baseball bat attack was "misguided frustrations." 

"One of them said he was having a bad day. He took it out on the sprinkler head," he added.

MacDonald thanked the public on behalf of RCMP for their assistance in helping to identify the two youth. 

RELATED: RCMP look for baseball bat-wielding Olds Splash Park vandals

The vandalism came up during Olds council’s policies and priorities meeting on Nov. 2. 

Community services director Doug Wagstaff told council that the entire head of one spraying piece will have to be replaced as a result of the attack. 

“Is that insurable?" Coun. Mary Anne Overwater asked. “Do we have insurance that would cover that or not? I’m not liking the look on your face.” 

Finance director Sheena Linderman said the splash park is insured and town officials have submitted a claim for the damage. 

Coun. Heather Ryan noted the lights in Centennial Park were damaged by vandalism earlier as well. She asked if the town has insurance for them too. 

"No, the lights are not covered through insurance. They are so minimal that it isn’t worth it to insure that or to submit a claim on it,” Linderman said.  

 

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks