(File photo/ northeastNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Tragic events

‘Many hearts have been broken’: Tisdale memorial water fountain removed after repeated attacks

May 19, 2022 | 2:00 PM

The Chief Administrator Officer for the Town of Tisdale is confirming there are no plans at this time to replace a drinking water fountain that was targeted by vandals.

Sarah’s fountain stood in Kinsmen Park for a number of years and was erected in memory of a passionate young community member, who loved going to the park. Brad Hvidston told northeastNOW the town discovered recently that the fountain had again been damaged and figured it happened sometime during the winter or early spring.

“It’s damaged to the point where we have to take it down and remove it,” he said.

Noting how the fountain was made from a concrete type material, Hvidston believes the weather played some role.

“I think it was definitely made worse by some individuals, probably hitting it with some objects,” he said.

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Because the discovery was so recent, Hvidston said council has not had a chance to make any sort of plan, but did acknowledge the fountain’s sentimental value.

On November 18, 1995, six-year-old Sarah Jane was killed in a car accident. Through a statement on social media, the family expressed their disappointment with recent events.

“It has stood there for many years but has suffered vandalism on and off over the years. Now we are so sad, frustrated, and devastated to say that because of the amount of destruction done to Sarah’s fountain, it must now be removed permanently,” the statement said. “It is too expensive to replace and even if it could be replaced, we are not willing to go through this heartbreak again.”

The fountain was made possible through donations from friends, and the Tisdale Kinsmen Club. A small plaque was also put on it stating that it was put there in memory of Sarah Jane.

“If you think it is ‘cool or funny’ to destroy something that does not belong to you, think again. Many hearts have been broken,” the family said.

The social media post explained Sarah was so community minded, even at a young age.

In addition to erect the water fountain, monetary donations received by the family following Sarah Jane’s death were used to buy new books for the Tisdale Elementary School library, and a scholarship was started in her name for deserving graduates.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell