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Waverley Park fountain repairs to be considered in 2021

Fountain did not run in 2018 or 2019 and is not expected to be operational next year.
Hogarth Fountain
The Hogarth Fountain has been in Waverley Park since it was donated in 1965. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – A two-century-old fountain in Waverley Park will need repairs likely costing at least $50,000 to again be operational, but a decision on its restoration isn't expected to happen until 2021.

The historic Hogarth Fountain, a centrepiece of the north side park, has not run in the last two years and will need rehabilitation to return to working order.

In a report presented to Thunder Bay city council on Monday night, city administration outlined three potential options to recommission the fountain, with projected price tags ranging from $50,000 to $450,000. Administration proposes bringing the matter to council during their 2021 budget deliberation process.

“It’s a lovely piece of history for the city and I think we’re all going to want to maintain this in some way, shape or form,” Mayor Bill Mauro said. “The question would be how much money we’re going to spend on it.”

The two-century old fountain, which dates back to England in 1790, was installed in the park in 1965 after being donated to the city in the memory of MPP Major General Donald McDonald Hogarth.

An assessment of the fountain’s condition found that while the concrete pool floor and walls have deteriorated, the exterior stone panelling has some damaged but appears to be in relatively good condition and the centre sculpture and base appear to be in generally good condition.

The least expensive option is restoring the existing fountain and mechanical systems, which would include repairing leaks in the concrete structure, installing a new access chamber and installing a backflow preventer.

The middle tier option, which is estimated to cost between $125,000 and $150,000, includes connecting all drain and water line systems to a new equipment chamber, separating the irrigation and fountain water lines, as well as repairing the fountain structure.

The priciest option, projected at $450,000, would include upgrading the fountain to a powered re-circulating water system with a new equipment chamber, rebuilding the fountain pool walls, added lighting features and the possible installation of a sanitary drain line for treated water.  

“At this point, it looks like the structural condition of the walls does support all three options, including Option A essentially being to just fix the top portion of the crack in the wall which would stop the leaks,” said Cory Halvorsen, the city’s manager of parks and open spaces.

The fountain has also been enclosed by a metal fence to protect it from vandalism.

Coun. Brian Hamilton (McKellar) asked whether there are plans to remove the barrier.

“Ideally we would be able to provide better access in a secure away. At this point, we don’t have an alternate option determined,” Halvorsen said.



About the Author: Matt Vis

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