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A cultural landmark will be returning to Victoria Park.
City council decided at its regular meeting Monday night to restore and install Regina’s glockenspiel.
Councillors and the mayor voted in favour at a vote of 8-1 to set aside up to $350,000 in the 2018 capital budget to be put towards reintroducing the glockenspiel to the park.
Original estimates had pegged the project’s cost at more than $500,000. However, an engineering firm was asked to look into cost-saving measures.
“It’s a symbol of the German community in the city,” said Alvin Knoll with the Regina German Club, who spoke before council on Monday.
“To have a glockenspiel means a lot to the German community. The fact that it represents our culture a little bit, as well as it’s a welcoming beacon or sound to other cultures, other people. Kind of like a gathering place,” he described.
The landmark was removed in 2010 during the creation of City Square Plaza. The bells and steel frame were salvaged and stored.
Mayor Michael Fougere feels the city has an obligation to ensure the glockenspiel is displayed.
“Not just the German community, but the multicultural council actually, gifted that to us so we have an obligation to make it work and put it out there again,” Fougere said.
The mayor expects the amount will be far less than the $350,000 permitted as many community groups have expressed a desire to help and offer services.
Ward 9 Coun. Jason Mancinelli was the only one to vote not in favour of the spending.
“I won’t be able to support this because it’s too much to spend for something that isn’t essential to me,” he said.
The landmark will be featured in the northeast corner of Victoria Park.
—With files from 980 CJME’s Jessika Guse and Sarah Mills
