New lighting at botanical gardens

The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory has some new lighting coming its way.

Mitch Sheppard, manager of the botanical conservatory, told the Fort Wayne Parks Board on Thursday that the light system in the conservatorys terrace ponds which consist of three overflowing pools of water needs replaced.

Those (lights) have been in place since 1985, and the lighting system, well, we just cant put any more Band-Aids on it and fix it any longer, she said.

Parts for the existing lighting system are no longer made, Sheppard said, and repairs would cost between $25,000 and $27,000. Rather than go that route, Sheppard said the conservatory decided to take a more artistic approach to the fountain lighting.

The new lighting project is expected to cost $50,922 $37,122 to fabricate the structure and $13,800 for the electrical work. The cost of the electrical work will go out for competitive bids, which Sheppard said could lower the overall cost.

The cost of the structure itself is funded jointly through public and private money, Sheppard said. The conservatory has $25,200 in private money for the project and will contribute the remaining $11,922.

The project will sit just below the waterline and consists of a stainless-steel shelf structure crafted to mimic the shape and flow of Fort Waynes three rivers, Sheppard said. The shelf will be topped by various pieces of art glass that would reflect different colors and cause different sorts of shapes of lighting. LED lights will be attached beneath the steel shelf.

On top of fulfilling the lighting requirement and improving safety, Sheppard said the new lighting is more energy efficient than the current system.

The lights we have in there (currently) were designed in the 1970s, she said. They run hot, they take a lot of energy, theyre very dangerous; theyre high voltage, and they also tend to be destroyed by the chlorine thats necessary to keep the pond cool.

Aside from increasing safety and energy efficiency, the new lighting brings a lovely, lovely, cool feature, Sheppard said.

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New lighting at botanical gardens