Ground broken for fountain in Legion Park

Friday, September 11, 2020
City officials and Sikeston residents were present for a groundbreaking for the fountain in Legion Park, fulfilling a vision by lifelong Sikeston resident Bob Depro who died in 2016. Work on the project is expected to begin next week and take around two months, however weather could extend the time it takes to complete.
David Jenkins/Standard Democrat

SIKESTON — A fountain in Legion Park is getting closer to being a reality.

On Friday, city officials and Sikeston residents were present for a groundbreaking for the fountain in Legion Park, fulfilling a vision by lifelong Sikeston resident Bob Depro who died in 2016.

“I am very excited about this project,” said Jason Davis, executive director of Historic Downtown Sikeston. “I am thankful that we get to honor Mr. Depro and his work in our community with something spectacular like this fountain.”

Davis said the project will cost about $100,000 with a portion of the money coming from a donation from Depro and the rest of the money coming coming from private donations through the fundraising efforts of the Historic Downtown Sikeston Board and the Design Committee.

Last week, the City of Sikeston agreed to pay the final balance on the fountain after Historic Downtown Sikeston and city staff began work on the fountain project, contracting with Hydrodramatics for the fountain design and components in the amount of $71,600. When parts were finally shipped, numerous key components were not included, leaving various plumbing and electrical components still needed. The total cost of items left to purchase was $14,833. Historic Downtown Sikeston has approximately $2,000 remaining to use for this project, but due to their two major fundraising events being canceled due to the coronavirus (St. Patrick’s Day and Wine Festival), they did not have the funds to pay the remaining balance of $12,833.

Because the city is a partner on the project and the fountain will be an enhancement to a city park, staff wanted authorization to purchase the remaining components utilizing city funds.

“I believe it will be another great addition to our downtown,” Davis said. “It will provide another feature to draw families to the park. It will also serve as a great backdrop to events that already take place in that park.”

He added that events like Music in the Park, Farmer’s Market and the St. Patrick’s Day Festival as well as others will have the fountain as part of the event.

“It will also give us the opportunity to offer new events centered around the fountain.” Davis added.

Work on the project is expected to begin next week and take around two months, however weather could extend the time it takes to complete.

According to Jay Lancaster, director of Public Works in Sikeston, labor is being supplied by both the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities and the City of Sikeston Public Works staff and the project will use a non-recirculating water system.

“This was decided after much evaluation of the options available, and was selected to keep costs as low as possible,” Lancaster said. “In addition, the design of the fountain from the type of heads used, to the timers being utilized, and how the fountain will not run continuous but rather have an activation pedestal were selected to minimize water usage.”

Lancaster added the different organizations and individuals involved worked diligently to design a fountain that would be a “beautiful addition” to Legion Park while being conscious of water usage.

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the project,” Davis said. “It’s been a great partnership with Historic Downtown Sikeston, Sikeston BMU and the City of Sikeston. I believe Mr. Depro would be proud.”

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