Source: orlandosentinel.com
The City of Orlando said yesterday that, the fountain at Lake Eola, which has become an icon of Orlando, suffered severe damage when it was struck by lightening several weeks ago.
Lisa Early, Director of the city’s Families, Parks and Recreation Department, told the Orlando Sentinel that, “There is massive damage. Most of the lights are blown, the pumps are burned out, most of the controls are burnt out.”
It is not yet clear what it will cost to repair or replace the fountain.
However, even before the lightening strike, the fountain had its problems. A recent study conducted had put basic repair cost at $701,385, while the cost to undertake a major and extensive upgrade was estimated at $2.3 million.
It is not known how the most recent damage to the fountain will affect these cost estimates.
Also, the City has no clear path forward in terms of what should be done nor where the funds will come from to repair or replace the fountain.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer believes that the fountain should be restored, as it is the symbol of Orlando. However, this is being balanced with the fact that the City is in the midst of a major budget crisis, which has brought about layoffs of city workers.
Meanwhile, the city has set up a fund for donations and contributions, but to date, it has garnered less than $1,000.00.
There is a $1 million insurance policy on the fountain, but there is a $500,000 deducible. Also, there’s a “fine arts” policy under which some monies might be realized, but that is not yet certain.
City officials say a major fund raising effort might be launched, once the true cost of restoring the fountain is known, as well as, what can be claimed.
