WAITSBURG – The heavily utilized restrooms at Preston Park are out of commission after being vandalized earlier this month. The restrooms, located just off of Highway 12, are a popular stop for tourists and the city hopes to have them re-opened in time for the holiday weekend.

At the Dec. 16 city council meeting City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that vandals “took every piece of metal they could get their hands on,” stripping the restrooms down to the bolt on the deadbolt plate. The vandals even jerked the heaters from the walls, leaving 220 volt wires exposed.

Hinchliffe said the bathrooms are typically kept locked in the winter, but they hadn’t started locking them yet, this season. He said the damage was about $1,000, but will be covered by insurance. The city is seeking a grant to install surveillance cameras.