Two 10-year-old boys who threw rocks through many of the windows of historic buildings including the painted glass window of a 120-year-old church have confessed to the crime.
Park administrator Cheryl Jones said the boys have come forward and admitted their crime.
“Really, they are not bad kids, they just did a really bad thing. The parents are sick about it,” she added. “The boys have apologized and will speak to board members.”
She said a suitable restitution would be determined.
While Jones said the damage the youngsters caused is extensive and the painted glass window of the church cannot be replaced, she wants to focus on moving forward.
She noted the volunteer support has been overwhelming.
“The volunteers all came together with an outpouring of support,” she said.
Last Friday volunteers worked together with Jones all day to clean up the park and remove the shards of glass from the windows.
A generous donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has agreed to pay for the cost of the glass needed to replace the broken windows.
Jones said she is expecting the bill to come in at around $1,400, but that price doesn’t cover installation costs.
The volunteer help is what keeps the park going, she said.
“We couldn’t survive without volunteers. The park relies on volunteers and donations.”
She noted the town also contributes, as does Ponoka County and the park accesses government grants when possible.
Jones reminds the public that the park should be open May 6 in time for the first Farmers Market of the season and open for the May long weekend.
It will temporarily be closed while windows are being replaced.
Smashing the windows of the historic buildings at Pas Ka Poo was an incident that won’t easily be forgotten, but, hopefully, what will mostly be remembered was the way the volunteers rallied to keep the park a truly beautiful piece of history to be treasured always.
“I’m very proud of this park,” said Jones. “My kids grew up here. It’s special to all of us. It gets in your blood.”