As City workers get ready to lay sod around an ornamental fountain in the Jean Augustine Park at Humber Bay Shores, some residents are asking if the elaborate structure is really necessary since it is across the street from Lake Ontario.

The ornamental fountain is replacing a pond that previously stood there.  City workers are expected to complete the job by the middle of June.

Many condo-dwellers at Humber Bay Shores are having second thoughts about the ornamental fountain and the almost $700,000 it cost, which they say could have been more wisely spent.

“I think a fountain is totally unnecessary here especially if we want to keep this park and natural environment,” architect Riya Sarker says on social media. “There is a lake to look at, why do we need a fountain.”

Sarker admits “the fountain doesn’t do anything to this lakefront park, just turns it into artificial manmade space.”

Louisa Sislian calls the project “a big eyesore and the design doesn’t match the setting.”

“What a waste of our money,” Sislian writes.

Randy Barba stresses the fountain is a waste of money since it is across the street from the lake. He says the space could have been used as a children’s playground.

“This fountain will go down as one of the most Humber Bay Shoresy things to ever happen in Humber Bay Shores,” Barba swears.

Resident Viktoria Palfi says “building that fountain on the lakefront is like building an artificial lake in Muskoka.”

“Wondering when we might see the fountain up and running,” Susan Jones asked. “A little joy goes a long way in this difficult time.”

Anne Wynne predicts a fence or barrier may have to be put around the fountain for safety reasons.

That leads to Joya Canadese who is asking how deep the structure will be and “would it be dangerous for small children.”