The best parts of a marble fountain that stood outside the old Ashburton Public Library have been given a new lease on life at the Tinwald Domain.

The marble drinking basin and glass salmon have been removed and now feature in a new drinking fountain situated between the children's playground and the outdoor courts at the Tinwald Domain.

Four local companies have done the work for free, as the original library fountain was donated by the McElhinney family in 1983. Bailey Engineering, Stocker Solutions, Plumbing World Ashburton and ACL's landscape and concrete division have all given time and materials to bring the new fountain to life.

The Tinwald Domain is managed by the Tinwald Reserve Board with Council's help and Cr Leen Braam is also chair of the reserve board.

“I’m really chuffed to see parts of the fountain given new life in this way. The glass fish was originally created by local artist Tash Sim and that was carefully salvaged from the old fountain.

“The fish is on a stainless steel panel that gives access to the inner workings of the drinking fountain if that is ever needed, and the rest of the new fountain is in black steel that is designed to change colour over time. It fits right in at the Tinwald Domain, where there is always someone playing in the area.”

Cr Braam said the reserve board was delighted when the local businesses stepped in quickly to salvage the marble top and glass fish.

“And then they’ve shared their expertise and done the work for free, which is such a generous gesture.”

The original fountain that sat on the corner of West and Havelock Streets was donated by the McElhinney family in 1983. It was rejuvenated in 2019 and plaques from both periods are on the new drinking fountain at Tinwald – a third one is to be added acknowledging those who gave it new life.