JESSE NEILL & SAM BRADBROOK

THE Gawler Visitor Centre has been forced to close its showers temporarily after the facilities were vandalised last week.

Taps were broken, shower heads pulled off, soap dispensers smashed and tiles cracked as an unknown number of offenders defaced the facility.

Gawler mayor Karen Redman said the costs of the damage amounted to $7930 and that repairs will likely take two to three weeks to complete.

“I don’t understand why people feel the need to vandalise these facilities,” she said.

“This is the first time we’ve had to close these showers and we will try to open them as soon as we can.

“At the council meeting we discussed how innovative approaches could be taken to ensure access was maintained, but also to consider how to ensure an adequate level of security so there isn’t an ongoing problem of vandalism.”

The showers are funded through a Federal Government grant and council has been keen to keep the rest of the visitor hub open as repairs take place.

Ms Redman said any issues should be reported to council promptly and that the community and the council both have an equal responsibility to keep facilities like this useable.

“It’s not so much frustrating for council, but more for users,” she said.

“The showers are a community service and because one or more people have vandalised these facilities, it now means everyone misses out.

“Certainly the feedback I’ve heard from bike riders is that when they come back from long rides they’ve got access to these showers and think it’s a great facility.

“This facility is for everyone though, and that means everyone has a responsibility to look after it.

“We have a role as council to look after these showers, but so does the community.”