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The Metropolis of Victoria has chosen a design agency to revamp Centennial Sq. as a bunch prepares to march to guard the fountain at its centre.
Vancouver-based Dialog has gained a $750,000 contract to design the almost 60-year-old landmark, initially gifted by native municipalities in 1965.
“We’re actually excited, we’ve landed a superb design agency,” stated Derrick Newman, town’s parks, recreation and services director.
Saanich, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay gifted the fountain to commemorate town’s a centesimal birthday. Metropolis council authorized the contract final yr as a part of the Centennial Square Action Plan, which stated it’d function a new splash pad play area, house for a business kiosk, and higher seating.
“[It’ll have] enhancements to the sq. to modernize ageing infrastructure and actually to activate the sq. and to reinforce the flexibility to host bigger occasions and extra versatile programming,” stated Newman.
Nevertheless, the revamp plan has been on the centre of an issue, with members of the Friends of Centennial Square protesting to protect the historic landmark.
“We kinda wanna ensure that vital historical past continues to be celebrated,” stated member Chris Gower.
It has not been confirmed but, however the fountain could also be modified or eliminated altogether, in accordance with Newman. When chatting with CHEK Information, the director stated a “water function” might change the fountain.
“What we heard by way of our neighborhood comfort course of was robust assist to host bigger occasions and have a extra versatile plaza space,” stated Newman.
“To be able to try this, workers are proposing to exchange the water function with a extra trendy and enhanced water function.”
Newman says the concept got here from different parks in Canada, utilizing Inexperienced Harbour Park in Vancouver for example.
“The fountain is a given, and it ought to stay a given,” stated Gower.
Gower, who can be an architect, does agree that the sq. wants restoration work and is open to the addition of public and business areas.
However holding the fountain is what the group needs town to be part of the revamp plan.
“We expect that will be a large, pointless and costly loss. We expect the fountain serves many functions, and it must be refurbished and restored. The prices to do this can be minor,” stated Gower.
A number of the fountain might keep within the new plan. Newman emphasizes that the fountain and the monoliths are being handled as two separate elements, and there’s a likelihood the big constructions might keep within the sq..
“Clearly, there’s a robust neighborhood connection to the heritage components and the historical past of the monoliths, and workers goes to contemplate these choices to convey ahead a plan for these options as a part of the up to date idea designs,” stated Newman.
Upcoming march at Centennial Sq.
The Buddies of Centennial Sq. coalition is planning a march across the fountain at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, following statements from a member that might be introduced to council later that night.
The group hopes town will rethink its stance on the water fountain.
“The planning for the sq. may be constructive, can have some optimistic enhancements…we expect that’s not a contradiction of the fountain. We expect it suits in completely,” stated Gower.
The design plans nonetheless should be authorized by council, which is predicted to be accomplished by late spring. Newman hopes to have shovels within the floor someday subsequent yr.
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