Windsor moves forward with $10M replacement for Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain
City will also push for a day to mark the desire for peace
Windsor will spend about $10 million to replace the Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain after four years of consultations and conversations about finding a path forward.
Council had previously selected a year-round version that came in over budget and required them to consider new options.
This new floating fountain is similar to what people saw at Reaume Park for 45 years — but a major change will see it stored at the park in shrink wrap, instead of at Lakeview Park Marina, during the off season.
The old fountain was pulled from the water after it started to fall apart.
Council has committed to sourcing the equipment required to operate the fountain in North America after encountering issues buying parts when the old fountain would break.
Administration told council that it will look toward upper levels of government for grants as well as sponsorship opportunities to keep costs down.
Staff are working on a way to use the old fountain in a respectful way, which could include assembling the fountain into new pieces of art put in parks across Windsor.
Union leaders, Brooks family grateful for support
This fountain honours Charles Brooks, a renowned Windsor labour leader credited with the rise in union participation in the region.
Brooks was killed in his union office by a disgruntled union member in 1977. The fountain was installed the next year and dedicated in his honour.
His son, George, thanked council for including the family plans for project and pushed them to make this fountain the centre of a focus on peace.
"Peace is on a knife's edge right now. We want this peace fountain to become a destination, not just a peace fountain," said Brooks.
"We have an opportunity here with the peace fountain to be an international location to celebrate the fact that we are free and are a democratic society."
Rick Labonte, who spoke beside George at council, said that expanding parking at the site would help people access the space.
"If you can keep that in your mind, maybe how we can expand the parking lot on the other side so people can get to it," said Labonte.
He suggested council make September 21, the World Day of Peace, an event that rivals Remembrance Day.
"We possibly could make this an annual day to be celebrated," said Brooks, supporting the idea.
Retired union leader Ken Lewenza spoke to the legacy of Brooks as someone who pushed for unity and representation at all levels.
"I live the legacy of Charlie Brooks every day," said Lewenza. "His culture of representation was not just about collective bargaining."
To that end, Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac directed council to create a committee with union leaders to create a day for peace.
"We have to think about them, all the incredible contributions that people have made to make sure or community and Canada as a country thrives and continues to thrive," she said.