Another city centre fountain to be reactivated

Gdynia Fountain at the top of Royal Parade is the latest city fountain to be switched back on again following a gap of three years since it was last used.

The fountain will be turned on again today (Tuesday 25 June) at around 4.30pm.

The water pumps were repaired, electrics and systems checked and the whole fountain thoroughly cleaned and rubbish removed.

The Gdynia Fountain was formally opened in 1986 to celebrate the city’s links with Poland’s most famous maritime city. It has a central jet and is surrounded by curving jets that produce a spectacular and beautiful water display. It has a special ‘windometer’ so that the pressure of the water can be reduced in high winds so it does not affect the traffic on the roundabout.

The fountain is the second major city centre feature to be brought back to life this summer – and more improvements are on the cards. Only last month the San Sebastian fountain was switched on following a makeover which included LED lights, a new pump and the fountain refurbished so that the 21 fountains that make up the display can come to life.

Other aspects designed to make a good impression for visitors include giant high quality images of the city’s waterfront installed at Bretonside to create a more attractive welcome for visitors coming in by coach or bus.

Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: "It’s important that as a city we create a good impression. These fountains are very much part of what makes our city centre so interesting and adds to our unique character.

“Pools of water lying stagnant do not paint a city that has ambition and that takes pride in its appearance. It’s particularly important as our events calendar gets underway that these features are brought back to life.

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance added: "Our tight budget strings limited us from doing everything we would like to but we think it’s vital that the city centre looks as good as it can with the summer season now on us. We should celebrate these features and acknowledge the impact they have – not forget about them.”