Comments on: Our Missing Heritage: The Centennial Fountain

By: Jacqui

Jacqui — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 11:37:36 +0000

I didn’t know it had been removed. How sad. I have lovely memories of holidays spent in Vancouver with my late parents.
We always stayed at the Georgia and I loved looking out on the fountain.
I just love Canada… and Canadians are always so nice and friendly!

By: Chuck Marshall

Chuck Marshall — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 22:47:25 +0000

I grew up on the 1200 block of Georgia Street, blocks down the street from the fountain. I remember it being built and never did understand why it was unpopular with some people. I often walked past it to Granville Street, the main shopping and entertainment area at the time. The old Devonshire, Georgia, and Vancouver hotels were going full blast then.

By: Gail J

Gail J — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 06:02:46 +0000

In reply to Doug Parks. Ha! A former high school classmate of mine admitted to knowing something about that (years ago, shortly after it happened). :D :D

By: Sally Buck

Sally Buck — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 04:11:05 +0000

In reply to Eve Lazarus. Glad to share with you, Eve. I love the dimension you give to our city, and our experience of it!

By: Sally Buck

Sally Buck — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 07:25:20 +0000

As employees at the Vancouver Art Gallery we were told fantastic tales from the past. One story describes the days when the building was used as a courthouse. The groundskeeper was observed as doing very well for himself financially, though his wage certainly didn’t reflect it. Then the reason became clear. He was found each Friday dredging the bottom of the fountain – the day after weekly divorce court – scooping up tossed wedding rings!

By: James

James — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:42:12 +0000

First of all both front and back plaza’s far to small. When there are events ugly fencing is used. Benches with planters were installed but one look at that disgraceful EdwardVII fountain says it all about maintaining it.
In the summers the fluoride smell in the water would be pungent.
The plaza was to have this giant ring above lighting I suppose but if ans when that gets addes with the lazy City of Vamcouver neglect squad at work.
I mean what do tourists think?

By: Lisa Smith

Lisa Smith — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 03:04:01 +0000

I miss that fountain and the greenery so much! As I kid I loved the Frog Prince theme. It seems that today’s sterile concrete plaza has been put in place mainly so the damage will be easier and cheaper to clean up after the all the protesters, partiers, potheads, etc. etc. have departed. Hopefully someday the fountain will find a new home.

By: Angus McIntyre

Angus McIntyre — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 02:52:32 +0000

The “Paint In” on the fence was a great idea, and it spawned similar events elsewhere. My parents attended a Burnaby basement recreation room party, where people attending could create their own artwork on the basement walls. Mum told me afterwards that there were a number of SFU professors present, and they were calling the new university SFA. In addition, people were smoking more than just cigarettes.

I liked the fountain, but the tall Centennial Pylons along Georgia Street facing the Court House were a total waste of money.

By: Doug Parks

Doug Parks — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 14:42:12 +0000

If my memory serves me I think Ivory Snow was the detergent of choice to foul the fountain

By: Brad Williams

Brad Williams — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 20:12:46 +0000

Love our history, forgot about the fountain. It was a ‘Cold Case’ in the winter will all of that cold water flowing. The area in front of the old art gallery is looking pretty bland today, very unpretty.

By: Cathy Barzo

Cathy Barzo — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 19:32:32 +0000

Although I no longer live in Vancouver, I loved the fountain too. The plaza, like you said, is now very sterile. The fountain gave the plaza life. Now it’s flat with hard lines…organic is better. Even some greenery would help. I do hope the next time I’m in Vancouver another water feature will be in place.