A run down icon at the gateway to Maitland CBD could use a spruce up, a Maitland councillor says.
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The fountain in front of Maitland Library has been bone dry for the past two years.
Cr Philip Penfold took to social media on Wednesday night to gauge whether there was public support to restore the fountain.
While some respondents expressed concern that the fountain would become a target for vandals, the feedback was mostly positive.
“I’d love to see it working again,” Fiona Cunningham posted on Facebook.
“The fountain is iconic with Maitland Library.
“I loved it as a child. Maybe its repair could become a community project if there was enough skilled people willing to help.”
Michelle Rule wrote: “I have never seen it working but would love to – we need more things like this around Maitland to bring the people back in.”
The fountain was installed in front of the library on May 26, 1972.
Cr Penfold said a full restoration, which would include retiling work, would cost about $20,000 to $30,000.
He said he had approached Maitland City Council to find out whether any money in the budget could be used to clean up the structure and perform enough repairs to make the fountain work again.
Otherwise, Cr Penfold said he would approach Lions Club or Rotary Club for help.
“I don’t want to do anything silly, but at a minimum I want to see it operate again,” he said.
“We are spending millions of dollars on the Maitland CBD revitalisation. The fountain is an important feature at the gateway to the CBD.”
