Higginbottom Fountain by Arthur Vogan, 1971

The Higginbottom Fountain is a uniquely designed floating fountain in the form of a huge water lily. Supported by steel pontoons, a submersible pump delivers 450 gallons of water per minute through several hundred jets which work in a cycle of spouting patterns. At night, 15 lamps illuminate the jets in colours of amber, blue, green and red.

The fountain was funded by well-known local philanthropist Percy Higginbottom and was put in place in 1971 - after several years of debate over how it should be designed and where it should be placed. Some wanted it to be placed outside the War Memorial Hall while others wanted it to float in Virginia Lake. Ultimately Virginia Lake was chosen as the final location. The Council assigned its assistant city engineer Arthur Vogan with the job of designing the fountain, while Tom Russell Ltd performed metalworking duties, Ian Collings was the electrician and Steel Boats constructed the five steel pontoons.

Photos by Rookie Planet