After 45 years, Windsor's peace fountain marks its last year. But a new fountain is already in the works
CBC
After 45 years, the Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain is marking its last year in the water before it gets replaced. But unfortunately, it's not going out with much of a splash: the fountain isn't currently operational after an electrical failure a few weeks ago.
But, officials say, this fountain may still yet be up and running again this year.
The Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain — also known as the Charlie Brooks fountain, or the peace fountain — is a beloved fixture of Reaume Park, said Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac.
"Whether it's a 50th anniversary or a wedding, all kinds of people are looking to the fountain to have pictures taken and just to go and sit and enjoy it," Gignac said.
Last year, council approved replacing the aging fountain with a new one in a very similar design. The current fountain was brought into the water in May 2023 for a last season, but a few weeks ago electrical issues ground it to a halt, the city said.
"The calls have been coming. They come to 311, they come to my office, they go to the mayor's office, very concerned, wondering what happened to the fountain," Gignac said.
The fountain was first installed in 1978 with an expected lifespan of about 20 years. Gignac said council has invested "significantly" over the years to keep the fountain running, but a few years ago decided it was time for a new fountain, as parts were becoming harder to source.
"But then the parts started disappearing … we knew that the parts were becoming harder and harder to access and literally we were trying to make our own parts in some cases," Gignac said. "So it was time for a new fountain."
After a public consultation process, council voted in May 2022 to go with a like-for-like modern remake of the fountain. The plan was for the current fountain to have a last season in 2023, followed by a year without a fountain in 2024 while land work is done to prepare for a new one to be installed in 2025.
The fountain is named for Charles Brooks, the first president of what's now Unifor Local 444. He served for 21 years, until he was shot by a worker in 1977.
Fundraising and design for a new fountain had started the year before, and after his death the fountain was dedicated to him for its opening in 1978. At the time, it was the only floating fountain in the world.
CBC News could not reach George Brooks, Charles' son, for comment. But in 2022, he told council he supported renaming the fountain the Charles Brooks International Peace Fountain.
"We are besieged with war and chaos in fronts all over the world," Brooks said. "And it presents, as far as I'm concerned, a very unique opportunity for the city of Windsor."
James Chacko, the city's executive director of parks and facilities, said ease of maintenance has been taken into consideration with the design of the modern fountain.