Benefactors step in with money to save Uncle Wilber

Uncle Wilber will play again.

Benefactors have stepped in to save the fountain with the water-squirting tuba-player that has drawn hundreds of screaming children each year to Acacia Park downtown.

After a Gazette story on Wednesday reported that city budget cuts might close a portion of the fountain, local philanthropist Lyda Hill's Hill Foundation gave a $25,000 check to the city.

The money will cover repairs and operations expenses associated with Uncle Wilber as well as staffing and maintenance for the Julie Penrose Fountain in America the Beautiful Park, which had faced going dry this season.

"The check is already in the mail," Hill said from her office in Dallas, where she lives part of the year. "These are important assets to the city from the tourist standpoint as well as the locals'."

Hill called it a challenge grant because she wants people in the community to pitch in to match it.

"I'd hope to think a lot of kids will put in their 50 cents so they feel like it is their fountain," she said. "I like to maximize impact wherever possible."

City officials were thrilled.

"I called Lyda to personally thank her," Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services director Paul Butcher said in an e-mail Thursday. "Staff will begin immediately securing the services necessary to bring the fountain into operation for our May opening date."

Hill's check will join money raised by the Friends of the Fountain, which kicks in about $7,000 each year to maintain the fountain. Included in the Friends' recent efforts is $10,000 from Bristol Brewing Co.

According to Kurt Schroeder, director of park maintenance and chairman of Friends of the Fountain, Uncle Wilber costs about $25,000 plus $7,000 to $16,000 in IT costs each year.

"It's a complicated piece of equipment, quite honestly, and it's reaching an age of 8 or 9 years," he said. "You don't just flip a switch and get it to operate."

Hill's donation will allow the city to bring in technicians to effect repairs and maintenance.

The Julie Penrose Fountain, he said, flows water and spins slowly but is less complex than Uncle Wilber. Still, it takes about $25,000 a year to operate it.

The Uncle Wilber Fountain was donated in 2001 by the Smokebrush Foundation, which continues to work with Friends of the Fountain to fund its maintenance.

____

Andrea Brown contributed to this report.

WANT TO HELP UNCLE WILBER?

Donations to support Uncle Wilber can be made to Friends of the Fountain Fund, P.O. Box 1930, 80901.

You can find out more about the organization on Facebook.com. Search for "Friends of the Uncle Wilber Fountain."