INTERACTIVE FOUNTAIN
Opened: 2004
HISTORY & INFO
Lagoon's interactive fountain and water show welcomes guests just inside the front entrance. It was completed in May or June 2004. The fountain has already proved itself to be a favorable way of cooling off without waiting in line to get drenched on one of the water rides.
Before the fountain was built here, the area was used for shows from 1998 to 2003. Before that, there was a souvenir shop here named Made In The Shade.
It has several features including over 138 nozzles used to create a 30-foot diameter "water cage". It uses 350,000 gallons of water per hour pumped through 18 separate pumps. The water reaches over 35 feet into the air. The entire fountain area is about 60 feet in diameter. There is over 80 lineal feet of water walls, a 60-foot water tunnel and 15 custom wave nozzles creating a "crashing wave effect". The area is blocked off for a water show on a regular basis.
Aside from all the water, the fountain features paving and walls made of stone from India. East of the fountain, there is a 36-inch diameter granite sphere which rolls on a base of water. The colored Meerfelsen granite for the sphere is from Sweden. Sitting on the west side of the fountain is a 60-inch ring made of Verde-Candaias granite from Brazil. The ring rotates on a base made of Furstensteiner granite. The ring and the base were cut in Germany.
This fountain was built in honor of Robert E. Freed. It's likely the fountain will someday be dedicated and named after him such as the Julian M. Bamberger Fountain on the North Midway. A plaque was added upon completion which reads:
"This water plaza celebrates the life of Robert E. Freed, under whose vision and innovation Lagoon operated from 1946 until 1974. A man of integrity, he was a leader in the international amusement industry and a pioneer in Utah civil rights. Robert E. Freed loved and contributed to the world of art and entertainment, his family, his community, and his country. From his loving family, this beautiful attraction is provided for Lagoon guests to enjoy in his memory."
PHOTOS
Photo: Rick
Photos: RickThe granite sphere and ring near the fountain.
Photo: FSThe fountain before completion as seen from the Sky Ride, 17 April 2004. The center fountain was running at the time.
