Oh deer! Animal breaks into Ontario rec centre and jumps into its pool
CBC News | Posted: February 26, 2024 12:59 PM | Last Updated: February 27
Erie Wildlife Rescue manager suggests anyone dealing with deer should 'just back off'
The Vollmer Centre pool has reopened after deer crashed through a window and into the pool over the weekend
The town had originally re-opened the pool Monday around 4:30 p.m. after the pool had been cleaned — but on Monday night, a swim participant stepped on a piece of broken glass at the bottom of the pool, and the pool was closed once more.
On Tuesday afternoon the pool re-opened, though the hot tub remains closed, the town said.
"Divers performed an extensive sweep of the pool in the aquatic centre at the Vollmer Centre this morning and have advised administration that they believe it is safe for patrons to be allowed back in the pool for normal operation and programming beginning at 4:30 pm today," the town said in a statement.
LaSalle man films deer in swimming pool
Francesco Siino said he was at his son's Sunday afternoon swimming lesson when a deer smashed its way into a LaSalle, Ont., recreation centre and jumped into the pool — and he captured some of the shocking images with this phone.
"Y'all wouldn't believe me if I told you a deer broke into the Vollmer Recreation Complex would ya," he posted on Facebook accompanying a video of the unexpected visitor.
WATCH | Deer jumps into indoor swimming pool at Ontario rec centre:
Siino told CBC News he was in the change room of the municipal recreation centre with his young son when he heard people saying there was a deer in the pool and he went to check it out.
"I realized that it was happening when a bunch of parents and staff started rushing into the changing room areas," he said. "I started walking out there and I start videotaping and I had a staff member say, 'hey, put your phone away, we don't need this on video.'
"I'm like, dude, if I don't get this on video, like no one's gonna believe me," Siino said.
Patti Funaro, the town's director of culture and recreation, said the deer "popped over the guardrails" after breaking through a window on the north side of the pool area at around 2:45 p.m..
"Took a little swim before staff were able to coax it out the front doors of the building through the lobby area," Funaro said.
Staff quickly evacuated the area, she said, noting a variety of children's swimming lessons were in progress and about 30 people were in the pool.
It took about 15 minutes from start to finish to remove the deer from the area, Funaro said.
Staff believe the deer may have been injured by the glass when it entered the pool area, judging by a small amount of blood.
"Because of that we're we're handling it as if there was some contamination in the pool," Funaro said. "We're following public health guidelines to increase the chlorine and those sorts of things. So that's what's taking the time to get things all cleaned up."
The town said there were no injuries to staff or members of the public.
Health unit signs off on pool reopening
Siino said he was most concerned for the staff, but the deer seemed confused.
He said it's the first time he has ever seen anything like it.
"Crazy — it was absolutely insane."
WATCH | Deer swims in indoor rec centre pool, then jumps out:
The town said Monday afternoon the hot tub would remain closed as maintenance continues. The deck and equipment have been disinfected.
Best advice is to 'back off,' wildlife expert says
Ellen Hedges, the animal care manager at Erie Wildlife Rescue, said both staff and the deer were lucky they weren't injured in the encounter.
Hedges said deer have strong legs and sharp hooves, so a kick could definitely injure a person, even though the animal isn't intending to attack, but is trying to simply get away.
"In most cases when you're dealing with deer, the best advice is move back, just back off, because these animals are very high stress and when they stress out, they react, they'll bolt, they'll try and get away from you."