Though an inflatable alligator floats on the surface to ward off predatory birds, the staff of Tatagwa View now have to watch for another type of wildlife invading the nearby retention pond: rowdy teens looking for a late-night swim.

Lloyd Searcy, vice-president of Corporate and Financial Services at Sun Country Health Region, said "No Swimming" signs have been posted around the pond, which is located beside the Tatagwa View long-term care facility.

Staff have also been instructed to call the police if they spot any teenagers going for a late-night dip, because they are trespassing.

"(The pond) was never intended to be for swimming," said Searcy.

"It's a decorative pond for the residents and the community to walk around and enjoy."

The main reason for the health region's precaution is safety. Searcy said the bottom of the pond is quite muddy, and though it slopes gradually along the edge, there is a sharp dropoff of 16 feet at its centre.

The pond is unsupervised, said Searcy, so teens could be risking their lives for the sake of a swim.

Police were called over the June 18-19 weekend about teens trespassing in the pond, but because there weren't any "No Swimming" signs posted, they couldn't take any action, said Searcy.