Plans to relocate the John Flakelar sculpture in Kibble Park to Sensory Park at Narara have been abandoned by Central Coast Council after outrage from the Flakelar family.
Following a story on the planned relocation in Coast Community News earlier this month, Council has held talks with the sculptor’s son, Michael Flakelar, on finding a new spot within Kibble Park to house the artwork once it is restored and cleaned.
While the fountain component is beyond repair and will be removed, Unit Manager Community and Culture, Glenn Cannard, said Council will incorporate some sort of water feature into the relocated sculpture in an effort to preserve the original integrity of the piece.
“The sculpture itself is in a fair degree of disrepair,” Cannard said. “There are dings and marks on it and discoloration caused by rust.
“It will be removed, brought back to its original condition and stored until we come to an agreement with the family on a new location within the park. We’d like to move it to a spot where we can use the infrastructure which serves the stream running through the park,” he said.
Cannard said cracks around the original fountain have resulted in water seeping down and destroying underground workings, creating a public health hazard.
“The fountain was turned off in 2016 because the electrics were flooded underneath. Relocating the fountain itself is not a viable option but we will keep working until we come up with an outcome the family is happy with,” he said.
“The artwork won’t be exactly what it was but we can certainly include a water element to retain its legacy. A water element was a strong part of the original sculpture and we are happy to make that commitment.”
Cannard said signage on the history of the artwork and John Flakelar’s contribution to the area would be incorporated with the relocated sculpture.
Michael Flakelar said he was cautiously optimistic.
“The artwork was very symbolic of the town of Gosford. It is more than a sculpture or a fountain,” he said.
“Council has assured me it will do its best to have some sort of water feature incorporated; just relocating it is not good enough. It has no meaning if it is just three columns sitting there – it needs water as an active element. I don’t want it stuck in a corner to act as a coat hanger.
Cannard said that once the fountain is removed, the site will be remediated both below and above ground.
“We will probably install some sort of ground mural then and open the area up for more events and activities,” he said.
Cannard said it was important to have open space around the William St mall, away from heavy traffic areas on other sides of the park, to help activate the area.
Terry Collins
Just scrap it and put in a skate park in Kibble. A rusty piece of junk won’t bring Kibble alive.With respect to the family , if it means so much put it in your front yard ! A skate park will
Looks like a giant hypodermic syringe an appropriate symbol for the troubled socio-economic mess this once great town has degenerated to.