Dozens of police officers searched the Collicutt Centre for possible weapons Wednesday, after a threat was reported.
Although the recreation centre was evacuated, and nearby high schools were put on alert, no weapons were found, said Cpl. Karyn Kay, of Red Deer RCMP.
She added a “person of interest” is being interviewed by police.
The threat — Kay wasn’t sure if it was phoned in — prompted a large police response.
She estimates at least 30 officers arrived at the scene just before 1 p.m.
“Any officers who were available were there, because of all the kids in the area,” said Kay.
Hunting Hills High School administrators were informed of the situation and activated a “hold and secure” status.
Kay said this means the school’s exterior doors were locked and no one was allowed to leave or enter the school until the threat was over.
Notre Dame High School was in the midst of a fire drill when the threat was reported at the Collicutt Centre, but teachers promptly got the students back into the building, said Kay.
The high school posted a short message on its Facebook page later in the afternoon, confirming the lockdown.
“Our school community was in the process of conducting a fire drill earlier today when the RCMP contacted our school to place us in a Hold and Secure safety procedure. Students were then called back inside.
“By the time students re-entered the building after the fire drill, RCMP had called off the safety procedure.”
The threat was deemed to be over in about half an hour, after officers searched the recreation centre and found no weapons.
Kay said the investigation is ongoing.