Installation phase 1: completed

Notice of project start
After months of negotiation and clarification, the design details are almost finalized.

Riley Park made ready for its drinking fountain

Early November, 2018, the Water for Riley team faced unexpected issues. The experts tell us that issues during construction projects shouldn’t be unexpected, so let’s go with that wisdom. Since November, those wonderful experts have worked hard to find solutions.

The City of Calgary Parks Department had enough faith in those solutions that we met on site to plot the water line location. On Monday, 3 June, 2019, City staff, Heavy Industries’ Project Manager and Water for Riley met on site, looking at plans and maps.

To be ready for the drinking fountain’s installation, City staff were scheduled to dig and install the water line that will hook up to the three stems of Reflecting Blooms.

City staff on location in Riley Park
Deborah of City of Calgary Water Management, Lori from Heavy Industries and City staff Kody, Mark and Aneta plot the location of the waterline that will run from 12th Street NW to the drinking fountain.
June 3, 2019 meeting on site
Lori, Deborah, Kody and Aneta examine the map with topographic and service features. It helped us look for any underground utilities. Kody sprayed the purple mark on the grass to align with the box that will house the water cutoff device.

Decision on Monday, water line on Tuesday

On Tuesday, 4 June, 2019, the crew showed up with equipment, and Michelle from Parks Department matched the location and the digging to the plans.

From 12 Street NW, the water line entered Riley Park at the north gate, went east to avoid damaging trees, and headed south to the future location of the drinking fountain
In half a day, with minimal disruption to Riley Park and its visitors, City staff installed the water line and the shutoff valve. Once the drinking fountain is fabricated and installed, the hookup is easy.
The crew left the site with barely a trace of having dug a water line there. Trail, the inspiration for the drinking fountain project, inspected the location and was satisfied.
4 June, City staff can't wait for the drinking fountain
Water for Riley: a drinking fountain in Riley Park so disposable water bottles aren’t needed. Perhaps this is the last time staff will have to drink from plastic bottles that are used once and discarded?

Be part of Calgary’s public art legacy;
for Riley Park, for you, and for the future.

Donate to make this vision become reality. At the instructions to seller page, specify that your support is for The Water for Riley Project. The Parks Foundation issues tax receipts for donations greater than $10.00.

We invite everyone to participate as a volunteer, fundraiser, donor, sponsor, or any other role. Call 403 862 1923 and leave your contact information.

See our story in a video http://www.waterforriley.org/2018/07/acad-w4r-video/