Vandals painted over the colours in the rainbow crosswalk at Kalamalka Lake beach overnight.

The hastily completed paint job saw splashes of white paint rolled over each colour in the rainbow walkway.

When contacted by Castanet News, Coldstream mayor Jim Garlick said he was saddened by the vandalism and frustrated that a symbol of inclusion can stir hatred.

"It saddens me to see that there are still individuals in our midst that are so insecure and threatened by this gesture of inclusion that they feel the need to sneak out to vandalize and deface it," Garlick said.

"Coldstream staff will be contacting the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C. on Monday to put in a claim to repair the damage."

Garlick encouraged any witnesses to this act to contact the RCMP with any information they can provide.

Streaks of paint from tires and shoes were visible through the crosswalk. The odour of fresh paint was still strong in the air at 9 a.m. Sunday.

A discarded paint lid was found next to the fence near the crosswalk.

The colours were added to the crosswalk back in 2017.

Photo: John K. White