By Link Johnson
The Scene staff
Forest Park’s award-winning architecture includes a giant sunken fountain in the center of campus.
But it’s been years since it sprayed any water.
“I didn’t know the fountain existed,” said David Aktol, 25, a network engineering major. “If it was working, I would’ve known there was a fountain at Forest Park.”
The rectangular, concrete fountain measures about 60 by 80 feet. It’s in the courtyard between the theater building, library and F Tower.
It has steps leading down to the bottom. Since the fountain is dry, students use them as seating when they’re waiting for the bus or just hanging out.
“It’s a convenient location,” said Cheryl Fowler, admissions and registration assistant. “And I enjoy the view and scenery, as well as the conversations with the people at the bus stop.”
Many people can’t remember when the fountain last worked. John Vansahgi, manager of building and grounds, estimates it has been about five years.
“I always wanted it on,” he said. “We used to run it all summer.”
The college stopped turning on the fountain, Vansahgi said, because the old, cast-iron pipes are rusty and deteriorated.
When the fountain runs, it leaks water underground, costing more in utility bills.
“We just don’t have the funding to get it fixed,” Vansahgi said.
Some people miss the days when the fountain spruced up the courtyard. It could be seen from many classroom buildings, as well as Oakland Avenue and U.S. 40. Colorful lights added to the display.
Ryan Martin, 36, financial aid assistant, called the fountain “awesome.”
“It’s great on hot days,” he said. “You go sit there, and a little mist gets on you and keeps you cool.”
According to Vansahgi, former Forest Park President Cindy Hess considered fixing the fountain a low priority.
“She didn’t want to invest in that when we had other problems to take care of,” he said.
Vansahgi said he would like to get the fountain running again.
He suggests leaving the cast-iron pipes in the ground, forgetting about the old system and installing new plastic pipes.
“That would be cheaper to fix than what is there,” he said.
The fountain lights also need repairs. Vansahgi said they would be as much a hassle to replace as the cast-iron pipes.
“My thought is, let (the old lights) go, too,” he said. “Put some new lights on the top of the steps shining into the water.”
One of the Student Government Association’s goals is making Forest Park a more attractive campus.
The fountain could help make that happen, said President Angela Johnson, 52, an event planning major.
“The last time I ever saw that fountain working was in ’86,” she said. “If it’s worked since then, I don’t know.”
Johnson said she talked to the new campus president, Roderick Nunn, and he seemed receptive to the idea of fixing the fountain.
Martin thinks the campus could use a slight facelift.
“(With) the fountain, the construction going on and leaks everywhere, it does make it a less inviting place,” he said.
Solving the fountain problem has been prolonged because no one has “gotten around to getting a price to do it,” Vansahgi said.
He recently started doing research on how much it would cost to install plastic piping and buy new lights.
“I’d like to see it working before I (retire),” he said. “Maybe we can pull it off.”
Angie Sanders, a St. Louis Science employee, drives by the college every day on Oakland Avenue. She didn’t know the fountain existed.
“Where’s it at?” she asked.
Sanders would like to see the fountain in operation, not just for students but for the surrounding community.
“It would draw people (to campus),” she said “It would do a lot for everything in this area.”