City Hall Fountain
The current Saskatoon City Hall was officially opened in
1956, and by 1959 City Council decided that they should have a fountain in
front of their new building. Robert Murray, who was primarily a painter at the
time, was commissioned. Mayor Sid Buckwold liked the design, but not everyone
on Council did. The Saskatoon Star Phoenix reported extensively on the process
and the controversy. Even the North Battleford News Optimist got into the act,
stating, “Beautiful Saskatoon unveiled a hideous modernistic sculpture to adorn
its City Hall Park.”
However, the sculpture (called “Rainmaker”) and the fountain
were finally accepted and have become one of the well known landmarks of the
city.
Murray left Saskatoon in 1960 for New York. His work is well
represented in various cities throughout Canada and the United States.
“Rainmaker” has become one of the most valuable pieces of sculpture owned by
the City of Saskatoon.