VANDALS have dealt an expensive blow to one of the city's most popular children's activity centres.

Sometime on Saturday afternoon someone slashed the vinyl padding on the multi-level climbing frame at Tabatinga, and it's going to take thousands of dollars and days to repair.

Tabatinga Operations manager Tim Shortt said it was the first time in his 18 month tenure at the centre that equipment had been deliberately damaged.

"I couldn't believe it when I found that the vinyl had been cut in a number of place," Tim said.

"It's the key piece of equipment at our award winning centre which thousands of children enjoy every year. It's a big blow to our operation.

Tim said he hopes to have the frame repaired by Saturday and completley fixed within the next fortnight

"We suspect the culprit must have come in as part of a family group."

He has offerred a $1000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible.