Two teenage boys aged just 14 and 15 have been arrested in connection with trashing the Dollan Baths.
But the East Kilbride News understands the hunt is still on for a third toe-rag who may also be responsible for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
We told you last week how late-night crooks targeted the East Kilbride institution, trashing the reception area and smashing a hole in a reinforced viewing window.
That allowed hundreds of gallons of water from the Olympic-sized pool to rip through the building, destroying areas of it and causing mass disruption.
Hundreds of hours of classes have now had to be cancelled and moved because of the mindless attack, with council chiefs saying thousands of people have been affected.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed with the News that the two youngsters had been arrested on Tuesday morning.
However, neither have yet been charged and are likely to be deferred to the children’s panel should a report be made to the procurator fiscal.
South Lanarkshire Council have confirmed that all areas of the building are now open, with the exception of the swimming pool.
A spokesman for the local authority told us: “The damage done to the viewing panel will require this section and the surrounding area to be removed and replaced.
“We are unable to give timescales at this point, but in the meantime we have made arrangements to freeze swimming lesson membership and relocate lessons where we can.
“Our swimming teachers and lifeguards have been redeployed to other leisure centres in South Lanarkshire, with East Kilbride Swimming Club being relocated to Larkhall temporarily.
“We have had to relocate birthday parties and other pool bookings have been relocated and we will endeavour to contact all customers to keep them up to date through social media and email.”
Customers with other memberships have been given the option to use other centres or have their membership frozen.
Officers were called around 12.50am in the early hours of last Saturday morning (July 22) after a break-in at the Brouster Hill venue was reported.
Police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were both called because of the extensive damage caused by the youths. Having managed to force entry to the leisure facility by smashing an external window, the raiders somehow smashed a hole in the reinforced glass of the viewing window.
The glass – which holds back thousands of gallons of pool water – was destroyed. SLLC say it will take a number of weeks to source and fit a specialist replacement.
Michael McGlynn, executive director of community and enterprise for South Lanarkshire Council, was left disgusted at the raiders, branding their attack “despicable”.
The attack was one that united politicians, key figures, business, and the East Kilbride community.
Monica Lennon MSP blasted the “mindless act” saying it has stopped hundreds of families from taking “full advantage of the Dollan’s facilities during the school holidays”.
Reacting to our story online, Andrea McKenzie posted: “I hope these boys are caught and I hope that when they are they are made to pay dearly.”
Diane Malcolm said she hoped those responsible were caught, with Liz Dawson saying it was “just not needed”.
Taking to Facebook, Jeanette Lawson added: “How sad. What type of people would get up to this?”
And Carol Henderson called the act “really terrible”.
She added: “This has ruined the summer hols for a lot of kids.
“Lots of people, including the elderly, use the pool to keep fit and healthy. What pleasure did they get from doing this?
“I just don’t understand.”
