Missing Regina glockenspiel raising questions

A missing glockenspiel is raising some questions in Regina.

The glockenspiel, which once stood in Victoria Park, was removed during renovations of the park and construction of City Square Plaza in 2010. 

The makeover has long since wrapped up but the towering installation is nowhere to be seen. 

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In a public letter to Mayor Fougere by the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS), the glockenspiel was described as an "example [of] the cultural continuity and celebration of diversity of multicultural work."

When it was installed several decades ago, Victoria Park was selected as the location because of its proximity to the old Germantown area east of the downtown.

The letter calls for the structure to be re-installed and restored in its original location, as it "represents our community's heritage and enriches the cultural life of Regina," the letter said. 

The glockenspiel was gifted to the city of Regina in 1985 by the German-Canadian Society (Regina German Club) and the Regina Multicultural Council. 

Kept in the dark

Andrea MacLeod, who sits on the board of directors of the Regina German Club, says the city has not been able to give her a definitive answer on just where exactly the glockenspiel is — or its condition. 

MacLeod said all that is known is the installation is in three separate storage locations.

"The city has not really talked all too well with us. We've had a couple of meetings with them but it has always felt evasive," MacLeod said.

MacLeod stressed the importance of keeping the piece in Victoria Park. She said there have been talks of putting the piece in a new, more remote location.

"We're not happy with that," she said. "We feel it belongs in the city centre."

Jeff Erbach, manager of community and cultural development for the city of Regina, says if the glockenspiel is put in a new location, it may be city hall. 

Executive committee motion

Ward 10 Coun. Jerry Flegel will submit a motion to draft a plan to have the piece reinstalled at Wednesday's executive committee meeting.

"It's been long overdue, drawn out," Flegel said. 

He added multiple interest groups in the city have expressed frustration at the issue being put on the back burner.

"When a piece of art, a piece of history sits in a box, it goes bad."

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Sustainability 

Erbach says the glockenspiel is a priority piece for the city's civic art collection.

Erbach said discussions will take place to ensure the best course of action for the glockenspiel, including any potential relocation. 

A condition assessment said the installation needs to be done in a way which is economically sustainable for the city. 

The piece needed constant rehabilitation and restoration when it was in use, Erbach said. A funding plan will be bought forward along with a possible location in the coming months. 

Work needs to be done on the mechanical, electrical and design components of the piece, he said.