The once-dominant figure of Frog pride on campus, Frog Fountain, will return to campus this fall sporting a new design, said the vice chancellor for finance and administration. A specific date for its return to campus will probably be available in the next month, said Harold Leeman, associate director of Physical Plant Administration.

The fountain, dismantled in May 2006, was in need of minor repairs, said Brian Gutierrez, vice chancellor for finance and administration.

“It was just getting old,” Leeman said. “But there have never been any major problems with wall or plumbing breaks.”

The lily pads are being refurbished because of the many years of exposure to rain, wind, snow and sleet and will be the only parts to be renovated, Gutierrez said.

“The remaining features of Frog Fountain will be constructed new,” Gutierrez said.

Two design teams came up with the design for the new fountain, Leeman said.

Cannon Designs, based in Los Angeles, and Newman, Jackson, Beiberstein Inc., based in Dallas, were the two design teams on the Campus Commons project and were in charge of the fountain’s design. In 2003, Cannon Designs completed work on another TCU facility, the University Recreation Center

“Basically, the flutes will remain the same,” Leeman said. “It’s going to be bigger than before with more water than before.”

The design also includes a seawall surrounding the flutes.

“The seawall will be low enough to sit on, but without getting wet,” Leeman said.

While a new design has taken the place of the original, from a distance, it will look almost the same as before, Leeman said.

“It’s going to be an updated look,” Leeman said. “It’ll look the same because of the flutes, but up close, the pool and surrounding wall will look different than before.”

The location of Frog Fountain will not be too far from its former home.

“It’ll be pretty much in the same spot, between the four dorms,” Leeman said. “It’ll sit closer to the student union.”

The fountain, on campus since 1969, was stored on campus in the Physical Plant near Worth Hills until it was taken to a local shop for the renovation process.

Since its removal, there have been no problems with vistors, Leeman said.

“It has been safe since they took it down,” Leeman said. “No one has attempted to get to it.”

A celebratory ceremony is planned for the fountain’s return, Gutierrez said.