Walking through Corbin Circle, you can see a new fountain in front of Reid Hall. Years ago, a fountain stood in the same spot, and now Lake Forest Academy brought it back, carrying forward the history of Lake Forest Academy and replacing the cracked pavement with a smoother pathway, greenery and flowers.
The initial plan was to simply repave the courtyard. However, according to Dean of Students Jennifer Rundles, “[LFA was] wanting to get that courtyard closer to what it once was,” and with a little more funds and creativity, the view could have been improved. Thus, after a thorough discussion between Mike Reidy, the Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Johnson, the Head of School and the board members, the decision was made to rebuild the fountain instead of just repaving.
In the beginning of construction, there was an unexpected challenge. There were four different layers of asphalt, caused by the repaving project occurring every ten years, and it took a lot longer than planned to dig it up. Once the asphalt was removed, the original structure of the fountain was revealed and became another obstacle for the construction team. The workers needed to remove all of the old structure in order to make a new, stabler base. With it removed, the construction could finally continue, and work began on installing the new stone base, plumbing and water systems.
The final look of the fountain is clean and modern. The circular stone base echoes the original structure. Surrounding the fountain, colorful flowers and greenery comprise another focal point on campus. Benches were also added around the fountain so that students could spend more time in the area, whether studying, relaxing or chatting with friends. Also, to enhance the area even more aesthetically and functionally, the facilities department plans to repave the pathway between Corbin and Korhummel, ensuring the courtyard feels cohesive and neat.