A crosswalk painted like a rainbow to celebrate LGBT diversity in New Glasgow, N.S., was covered with black skid marks Friday morning after a drunk ATV driver went on a joyride and damaged it, police say.

The crosswalk, which is near the entrance to Glasgow Square Theatre and is the longest crosswalk in the town, will likely need to be completely repainted, New Glasgow Regional Police Const. Ken MacDonald said.

The new paint job was revealed in September, as a symbol of LGBT pride and inclusiveness.

"It was just so bright and vibrant, and it just gave you a good feeling to see," said Henderson Paris, a former councillor who helped get the crosswalk painted.

"I'm really, really upset that that happened."

This is what the rainbow crosswalk looked like when it was unveiled in September. Now former councillor Henderson Paris, front right, says he's very upset it's been damaged. (Town of New Glasgow/Facebook)

Police on routine patrol noticed the four-wheeler driving dangerously in the town's downtown at about 12:15 a.m., MacDonald said.

It was going the wrong way on one-way streets and police say the 23-year-old driver didn't stop when officers turned the sirens on.

The man was caught only after the ATV came to the dead end of Forbes Street, MacDonald said.

'They could've hit a person'

The accused is scheduled to appear in Pictou provincial court on Jan. 16 to face charges of drunk driving, mischief, property damage and fleeing from police.

Henderson said he's glad only the crosswalk was damaged.

"When we look at the overall scheme of everything, they could've hit a person walking across that," he said.

"There's lessons to be learned to the person that did this, for sure. I hope they take lots of good steps."