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 one hundred and fifty thousand dollar project to beautify the West Harbour shared path, which was only officially opened earlier this year.

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

Wilson says it's a community asset and it's a shame someone would deliberately go and vandalise it.

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

The council intends to contact police about the damage and say the facility will be repaired this week.

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