Community barbecue shelter vandalised

Rotary Club of Dunedin president Lisa Wilson says the senseless vandalism of a public barbecue shelter built by the club for the public to enjoy is devastating.

The shelter is part of the club's $150,000 project to beautify the West Harbour shared path which was only officially opened earlier this year.

The shelter, not far from the University of Otago's Aquatic Centre, was damaged late last week.

"It's a community asset and it's just a shame that someone would deliberately go and vandalise it. Really, it's really devastating,'' Ms Wilson said.

The completed project is maintained by the Dunedin City Council as a public recreation area.

Council parks and recreation manager Robert West said the facility would be repaired this week.

The council intended to contact the police about the damage.