PORTLAND, Ore. — Police say someone set fire to the slide at the Wilson Pool in Southwest Portland, causing thousands of dollars in damages. It happened around 2:30 a.m. on April 27.
“From what I understand, somebody poured oil on the slide and lit it on fire,” said Wilson High School student, Max Finke.
He figured it was meant as a prank. The fire melted the slide's fiberglass and charred its edges.
“I don't know who did it, but it's a bummer when you see that,” said Wilson graduate, Madison Moorhouse. She likes to bring her little sister to the pool.
Jasmine Maldonado, a Wilson High School student, couldn’t believe anyone would stoop that low.
“I just hope they know that they kind of ruined it for a lot of families,” Maldonado said.
A spokesman for Portland Parks & Recreation said they searched the country for replacement parts to repair the damage, but had no luck. The 22-year-old fiberglass slide is out of production. The Parks Bureau figures a new slide would cost at least $100,000 money they don't have now, especially after recent budget cuts.
“It's a disappointment,” said Maldonado.
The pool is still slated to open June 18 without the slide. Portland Parks & Recreation is exploring options for funding a replacement waterslide for summer 2020.
Anyone with information on this case was asked to call the Portland Police non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.