Construction begins on water sculpture

By Laura Pelner
Campus Editor

It's really happening and there's no avoiding it. The Class of 1939 Water Sculpture in the Purdue Mall will never be the same.

Construction has officially begun and the cylinder that will surround the fountain's waterspout will be placed in two weeks.

On Sunday and Monday construction crews began working on the fountain's structural system, which needs to be altered to support the cylinder. "They're actually modifying the grate and the structural system underneath to support the cylinder," said John Collier, University architect.

Collier said the cylinder, which will be 32 inches in diameter, should be installed before the first home football game on Sept. 15.

"It's kind of a slow process," he said. "I'm not exactly sure when it's going to be completed. But it should arrive sometime in that week before the first game."

The work to modify the structural system began this week to make sure it would be done in time. Collier said this step will take the longest and actually placing the cylinder would be easy.

"Securing it into place, that part of it should be relatively simple," he said.

The stainless steel cylinder will have a mirrored finish and will stand 10 feet 6 inches high. A grate will cover the top so no one can throw things in it or climb into it.

"I think it will be an exciting addition to see the modified sculpture," said Collier.

This cylinder comes in response to a proposal from University administration last semester to put fences around the water sculpture and the Loeb Fountain in front of the Liberal Arts and Education Building.

The fences were proposed to increase safety and escape liability if someone was injured around the fountain.

No final plans have been made regarding the Loeb Fountain yet. A committee is addressing the issue and should be making a recommendation to the University Architecture Landscape Planning Committee soon.

Graham Cooks, a professor of chemistry and member of the committee said the changes to the fountains are unfortunate but the Purdue community should accept them.

"I think, while it's not 100 percent desirable that there be this change, it's going to happen and we may as well get to enjoy it as much as we can," Cooks said.

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CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 253

Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

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