After heated debate at City Hall Monday, a city committee has left the possibility of any future use of the Great Divide Waterfall on the High Level Bridge, to community groups.
The Community Services Committee discussed options for reusing the waterfall in the future, with costs ranging from $1.1 million and $2.6 million.
The waterfall has not been used since 2005, when it was shut down due to environmental concerns – tap water had been used in the waterfall, but there were concerns over chlorine being introduced into the North Saskatchewan River.
Most councilors on the committee decided Monday that money that would have been spent on the waterfall would be better spent elsewhere.
“Budgets are tight, and the waterfall just isn’t a priority right now, we have other needs,” Councillor Mike Nickel said.
Although the committee voted against re-vamping the waterfall, the decision was not unanimous – Councillor Ben Henderson called the feature a gift the city hasn’t taken care of.
“I think it is a little rich for us now to go back and say we’re only going to take care of our art if someone takes care of it for us, because that’s ultimately the message we would send,” Henderson said during the meeting.
The waterfall was added to the High Level Bridge in 1980. Designed by artist Peter Lewis, it marked Alberta’s 75th anniversary.
While the committee has decided the city won’t put money towards the waterfall, they are open to offers from community groups to take that over – if a group does not come forward, the waterfall will have to be decommissioned.
Council had set aside $735,000 for the project – funds that will be returned to the city’s general capital budget.
With files from Brenna Rose
