The Dragon Fountain in Pardubice is awaiting a static assessment, it has been out of operation for two seasons

Pardubice - The condition of the dragon fountain in Bubeníkovy Sady in Pardubice will be assessed by a static report. Based on its findings, the city district will decide whether it is feasible to repair the water feature at a reasonable cost. This was stated by the district's mayor, Filip Šťastný (ANO), to ČTK. The facility has been out of operation for two seasons. The city already has one assessment; the static condition will be supplemented with this additional report.

"The fountain has serious structural faults; there is a lack of expansion joints, which causes it to crack. I cannot say that the existing report gives us a clear course of action; that’s why we commissioned static tests," said the mayor.

The fountain contains technology from the 1960s, which is outdated. One basin has no solid foundation, which is why it is cracking. "There is significant corrosion of the metal parts, and the concrete is weathering," said the mayor.

The static report should also outline how much repairing and restarting the fountain, which has been non-functional for the second season, would cost. "We would like to have a decision by the end of the year; the report is underway. By December, we should know where we stand and how much it would cost to make it operational again. Whether it is sufficient to add some concrete, or if everything will need to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch," the mayor stated.

The district's commission tends to favor preserving the fountain. It will either resume operation and be filled with water during the season or be given another function. The commission does not want to demolish it. However, it will depend on the cost of repairs.

"There is a desire to preserve the feature in its current form and possibly adapt it for other uses. If we are talking about a repair that would cost us several times more than building a new fountain, at that point, it seems reasonable to discuss an alternative use," said the mayor. Another water feature could then emerge in the gardens elsewhere, he added.

The initiative "We are for the fountain!" was concerned that the city might demolish the water feature without public communication. Therefore, they drafted a petition and also hope that if the dragon fountain cannot be made operational, the district will give it another function. It could become a play feature for children, according to the petition.

The fountain was designed by architect Petr David. It is made of sprayed concrete and is crafted in pastel colors: gray, blue, pink, and yellow. It stands out with its unusual shape, resembling parts of a dragon's body, which is why it is called the dragon fountain. Large horns protrude from it, from which water sprays when it is operational.

Although swimming is not possible in the fountain, the architect designed it so that children could climb on it. Its construction was funded by the city foundation in 1995. It has also been taken out of operation in the past; for example, between 2013 and 2014, it was necessary to ensure the statics of one basin that was sinking. Mosaic tiles were also changed.