Arsonists attack artificial turf surface at Wellington school

Wellington Police are investigating an apparent arson attack after a pile of plastic was ignited on the artificial grass sports surface at Wellington’s Lyall Bay School.

The surface, which was partly funded by fundraising among the school community, now has a crater melted in the surface, in what the school's principal says has been a hugely disappointing act.

According to the school's website, the community had recently invested more than $700,000 in the playground, including netball courts and the turf.

Lyall Bay School Principal Melanie Dean said families and the wider communities had fundraised through school fairs to be able to afford the turf which was laid at the end of 2013.

Principal dean told Fairfax NZ “it is very disappointing because that piece of grass is used constantly by the children. It's got to be able to be used in winter and in summer - because of the weather in Wellington they're not able to play on grass all the time."

A Wellington Police spokesman said they were investigating the arson, which was believed to have been carried out between 1am and 3am on Saturday 30th May.

It appeared some plastic items had been burned but it was unclear whether an accelerant had been used. It was not known what the cost of repairing the damage would be for the school, police said.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call Wellington police on 04 381 2000 or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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