Forbury Park Croquet Club treasurer Ron McMurran said the club in St Clair was due to open for the season this week and members had planned a working bee at the club on Saturday. Mr McMurran was "disgusted" by what he saw when he opened the club gate in Victoria Rd.
"It wasn’t a pleasant surprise. Far from it ... it’s one big shambles."
Club committee member Sue Chilton said groups drinking on the club grounds were a constant problem.
Empty cans of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages were scattered across the greens on Saturday, and a large window in a shelter in front of the second green had been smashed.
A table in the clubroom porch had been broken into several pieces, he said.
Several windows in the kitchen had been smashed.
Inside the clubroom, broken crockery was scattered across the floor and an island bench was overturned, The building was entered after someone kicked a door to a toilet off its hinges. The toilet had been used and not been flushed. Someone used a black marker to write "we come in peace" on a wall.
The club was about 80 years old. This was "by far" its worst case of vandalism. The cost of repairing the damage was hard to estimate, he said. The club was insured but would have to pay an excess.
"We’ve got no money ... this doesn’t help," Mr McMurran said.
He hoped someone with information would contact police.
A police spokesman said inquiries were continuing.
• Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800-555-111.
