Vandals destroy swimming clubrooms

Bunbury Swimming Club has been left high and dry after vandals caused more than $100,000 worth of damage by lighting a fire at its clubrooms last month.

The club has been forced out of the South West Sports Centre facility with the clean up expected to take months.

Bunbury police are investigating the blaze with the vandals believed to have smashed a glass sliding door to gain access to the building before starting a fire on April 26.

The blaze melted furniture and damaged the ceiling and walls before firefighters believe it choked and extinguished itself.

Club president Glenn Doust said the fire had left not only its members and volunteers inconvenienced, but also other community groups that used the facility.

“The building is huge for us for that social side but also to educate the kids and try and expand on what we offer as a club,” Mr Doust said.

“We’ve got jobs as well ... the time that this is going to take us to rebuild is major.”

The club has more than 100 local swimmers and is the biggest in the South West.

“It has left us without a space in which we can come together as a team, hold meetings, store equipment and fundraise,” Mr Doust said.

The club has launched a sponsorship drive asking the Bunbury community to get on board.

Individuals, families or businesses can buy the naming rights to events at the club’s annual Bunbury Open swim meet held in October.

Email admin@bunburyswimmingclub.com to get involved.