Windsor City Council will review its options for the future of the International Charles Brooks Peace Fountain after a bid to replace it came in way over budget.
When it meets on Monday, it'll face two options. One is another in-water fountain, much like the one decommissioned last September. The other is a land-based fountain.
After councillors directed city staff to pursue a floating fountain design in May 2022, several requests for proposals were issued, but there was no response.
When administration investigated, it was told by fountain vendors a "design-build" procurement may garner more interest. So, it reissued the request for proposals.
Two bids were submitted, but only one passed the technical submission requirements.
The single bid greatly exceeded the $8.1-million estimate.
Administrators spoke with the proponent in a bid to bring the cost down but found out the project came with a list of risks, including riverbed elevations, the possibility of damage from ice floes on the Detroit River, and varying river levels.
Earlier this month, councillors directed administration to cease working with the proponent and bring back cost-effective options to replace the beloved fountain in Reaume Park.
The "like-for-like" floating fountain alternative is a scaled-down version of the old Peace Fountain but would have the same maintenance and storage challenges. The land-based option would reduce those risks and permit the potential for a winter lighting display. It would also cost more than the replica. In 2022, the estimated was $9.5-million.
Either way, the report suggests fully commissioning the fountain and having it operational by 2025 is unlikely.