The building has been empty since the YWCA left last fall, after encountering financial problems. It is not known how vandals entered the building or where they set off several fire extinguishers that triggered fire alarms, but according to a police report a back door was found unlocked and there were no signs of forced entry.
Peoria Notre Dame High School had been renting the building from the Heartland Partnerships but had been "barred" from using it after damage had been done, according to the report. Officials from Heartland said they would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
Notre Dame Athletic Director, Matt Blackford said the high school used the building for basketball practice - as it had when it was occupied by the YWCA - for between $1,500 and $3,000 per month from October through February.
Blackford said he did not have any knowledge of the school not being allowed to use the facilities at Lakeview.