Legislature fountains: Cruising the Summer of ‘89

The fountain on the grounds of the Alberta legislature in Edmonton.

Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/new-river-water-feature-open-at-alberta-legislature/

(May be subject to copyright)

Edmonton has a lot of interesting things to see. As I spent more time in the city, I got off campus more and more and saw some of those things, that wasn’t always that well known.

In the summer of 1989, I had a really neat night. It took me to the grounds of the Alberta legislature and into the fountains where everyone could take a dip.

A news release crossed my inbox today, announcing the fountains at the legislature were opening soon. It took me back to that night in the summer of 1989 that still brings a smile to my face when I think about it.

Summer of ‘89
After my first year of university, I went home, back to the farm in the summer of 1988. It was not a bad summer per se, as I did spend the first part re-connecting with my high school friends, going to the bar because I was now of legal age, and just de-compressing from a full year of school and student life.

In fact, I used to joke that, a month after my final exams, I still hadn’t finished all my reading.

However, the overriding feeling was that I no longer wanted to be on the farm. I loved university and residence life, and was itching to get back there.

I recall walking on a path, between graineries at the west end of this greenhouse property I worked at. I told myself I was not coming back to the farm the next summer.

So, as my second year of school wound down, and the summer of 1989 approached, I determined to stay in Edmonton. I ended up living in res for the summer, going to both spring and summer sessions of school and, most importantly, hanging out with my friends.

It ended up, to this day, being one of the best summers I have ever had.

Res in the summer
One of the cool parts I discovered about living in res in the summer was it was the place people went, when they came to university in the summer time. Because res rented rooms by the night, week and month, some just stayed there for a few days. Some extended that to a month or the rest of the summer. Others just stopped by to see what was going on.

That went not only for people coming from out of town, but also people who lived in Edmonton in the summer.

One day, two people came by who would give me a night to remember.

Visitors
In my second year of university, I had moved into student leadership as floor coordinator for the fifth floor in Kelsey Hall. There are 10 floors in Kelsey Hall, and the 10 coordinators made up hall council, which was chaired by the hall vice-president. The hall vice-president was elected by the students in the hall at the end of the previous school year. Joselynne Scoble had been the hall vice-president when I was a floor coordinator, and had become a good friend. At the end of the year, I ran for hall vice-president and won. So, during that summer of 1989, I also had this added layer, where people sometimes came by to talk to me about the upcoming school year.

One of the requirements of being vice president of Kelsey Hall was living in the “VP room”. It was in its own wing with its own bathroom, including a shower, and there was an office across the hall. It was located on the first floor of the building, called Main Kelsey. Consequently, that was the floor the hall vice president hung out on.

Stephanie Gillis was a first year on Main Kelsry in that 1988-1989 school year. I came to know her because I had a class with her, and she liked one of the guys on my floor. As the year progressed, I actually got to know some of the people on Main K and spent more time down there. It actually made moving there when I was elected Hall VP a much easier transition.

Anyway, I got to know Steph better, and watched as she actually ran for the crown of Miss Edmonton Eskimo.

One summer night, Joselynne and Stephanie came to visit.

Cruising
Joselynne had a car, which was surprisingly rare back then for students, and we ended up going for a drive. I recall Jos driving and Steph running the stereo. As we cruised through the streets all around Edmonton, I remember Steph saying, “We’ve got a lot of music to get through.”

It may have been the first time, I really got to see a lot of that part of Edmonton, as we drove down through the river valley, saw parks, and various neighbourhoods.

Suddenly, looming before us, was the Alberta legislature. I had seen it in the distance, and passed it by, but never had a chance to stop, much less pay a visit to it.

I asked if we could stop and have a look.

Jos and Steph were all in. We got a parking spot and approached it from the rear. There was this wide open space with a fountain and kind of a wading pond that was no more than a foot, or maybe two high.

And there were people everywhere. Many were jumping through the streams of water in the air flying from the fountain.

“Let’s go,” Jos said, as she grabbed my hand.

We went running into the fountain, through the water streaming down, and out the other side. It was surprisingly warm, but Edmonton did get pretty hot some days in the summer.

I recall at one point wading in the water, and Jos grabbing my hand to get up.

We ended up walking around, and really just enjoying the night. Edmonton is far enough further north from where I grew up in Southern Alberta that summer nights are noticeably longer and it stays light much later.

This was one of those nights.

It was really cool.

We wandered around, I think just as much to dry out as anything, before we got back in the car.

Then, just as soon as the night began it was over.

Parting thoughts
That was one of the coolest experiences of that period of my life. The legislature had been more of an idea to me than anything, something I saw on TV. I never imagined I could actually visit it in person.

Although I never actually went inside, that was my first visit to the grounds.

Yet, that was a minor part of the whole experience. What really sticks out is going on a bit of an adventure with some friends.

It was spontaneous, and fun, and something I really should do more of as an adult.