Atlanta's well-known Fountain of Rings is set for a major makeover, thanks to a hefty $2.5 million grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority has announced its plans to update and modernize the landmark located in Centennial Olympic Park, a process slated to begin in August with completion expected by the end of the year, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
The renovation will see the fountain's technology and control systems brought into the 21st century; in addition, the hardware responsible for the fountain's lights and water valves will be improved, the fog system repaired, and the overall visitor experience enhanced. "The Fountain of Rings is the centerpiece of Centennial Olympic Park and one of the most photographed landmarks in Georgia," said Frank Poe, executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, in a statement reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. The organization is keen on preserving the fountain as a symbol of Atlanta's Olympic heritage while also propelling it forward as a premier attraction.
The grant was awarded by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, which has a history of supporting Atlanta's community projects. GWCCA has also involved Fountain People in the redesign, a firm that played a part in developing the original concept of the Fountain of Rings. Construction is to be carried out by Hogan Construction Group.
Alongside the fountain's upgrades, the GWCCA will revamp the park's visitor information center into a mixed-use facility featuring a permanent Olympic exhibit aiming to capture the legacy of the 1996 games. This project, expected to reopen in mid-July, aims to engage visitors with detailed information and an array of memorabilia illustrating the significant, impact the Olympics had on Atlanta's community. With these projects, the authority hopes to enhance the experience of millions of guests who visit this downtown Atlanta landmark every year.
