Fountain lights up again
The historic Moller Fountain on Haven Rd has been restored, thanks to funding from the City of Nelson Civic Trust.
Trust chairperson Roger Nicholson said in a statement about the refurbishment, which was fully funded over $60,000 by the trust, that it was a fitting project thanks to the fond memories Nelsonian’s had of the fountain ‘‘in its heyday’’.
‘‘People missed seeing the fountain playing and its wonderful light displays. We heard many stories of children being taken in their pyjamas and dressing gowns to see the fountain at night,’’ he said.
‘‘Over the years, it has fallen into disrepair as other projects took priority. When council approached us it was a great opportunity for the Civic Trust to be able to fund the fountain’s restoration and return it to its former glory.’’
The restoration of the cast iron fountain was carried out by Nelmac and Powertech technicians, overseen by the Nelson City Council. Some adjustment is ongoing to make sure water is not wasted, but the lighting and water displays are now functional.
The fountain was anonymously donated to the city in 1940, with the benefactors revealed later to be Bernhard and Dorothea Moller. The fountain has had ‘‘numerous facelifts and renovations’’ over the years, with the latest featuring new water pipes and a pump station, fresh paint, and digitally-controlled LED lighting.
Its placement in the Haven Rd reserve was not the intended site for the fountain, but after much debate on various locations including the Church Steps, Church Hill, Queen’s Gardens and Anzac Park, it was finally settled that the fountain would brighten the entrance to the city.
The location in the middle of a busy road led to some ‘‘near-misses’’ in the past, Nicholson said, with children ducking across the road to see the new water feature and cars slowing down to admire it.