Opening day at Regina's Wascana Pool ends early after bear spray used in change room

The opening day for Regina's Wascana Pool was cut short on Thursday,after police say more than 200 people suffered the effects of bear spray usedin one of the change rooms.

Regina policeresponded to a report of a weapons incident at the pool shortly after 2 p.m.

Officers found upwards of 200 people suffering from the effects of bear spray when they arrived on scene, the police service said in a Thursday afternoon news release.

Witnesses told the officers that four or five teenaged boys, about 13 to 16 years old,came into the facility wearingbalaclavas and "other face coverings" and started spraying the bear repellent, according to police.

The City of Regina, in a separate statement, said the bear spray was used duringan altercation in one of the change rooms.

The pool wasclosed for the rest of Thursday, but will reopen Friday with increased security measures, the city said.

Police say members of the service'scanine andpatrol units, as well as plain-clothes officers from the investigative services unit,are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to call Regina policeat 306-777-6500, or submit informationanonymously by contactingCrime Stoppers online or at 1-800-222-8477.

$16.5M upgrade

Thursday was supposed to be a culmination of a $16.5-million project giving citizens one of the "most accessible and inclusive" outdoor aquatic facilities in the country.

The city added a lazy river, two nine-metre-tall waterslides, diving boards,leisure and lane pools that each measure 25 metres, and a hot tub.

The facility contains signs translated to braille, accessible washrooms and changing areas, lifts or wheelchair ramps on the main water features and an accessible playground.

City council approved a plan to make thewaterslides fully accessiblethrough a lift and elevator system.The design has not been selectedyet, and city officials have said neither would be in placeuntil 2025.

Solar panels are installed atop the main structure. The facility is equipped witha regenerative pool water filtration system, a high-efficiency water heating plant and Regina's first recirculating spray pad.