A more dazzling future is in the works for one of Atlanta’s most visited attractions.

Centennial Olympic Park’s iconic Fountain of Rings is set to be upgraded and modernized after local philanthropists with the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation awarded a $2.5 million grant to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which owns and operates the park as part of its downtown campus.

The renovations—described by GWCCA officials as the fountain’s first “major enhancement” since 2007—will join the ongoing redo of the park’s visitor information center in hopes of boosting the guest experience and reliability of operations.

Work on the fountain is expected to begin in August and finish in December.

The scope will include an updated technology system and controls, improved lighting and water valves, a repaired fog system, and other features.

GWCCA/Fountain PeopleTM

GWCCA/Fountain PeopleTM

The outcome, according GWCCA officials, will be a system that unlocks the “near limitless capabilities for the fountain’s lighting, water propulsion, and fogging systems” in addition to providing customizable shows for holidays, celebrations, or other events, day or night.  

Frank Poe, GWCCA executive director, called the Fountain of Rings the park’s centerpiece and one of the most photographed landmarks across Georgia. “These enhancements will not only preserve an iconic symbol of Atlanta’s Olympic heritage,” added Poe in a project announcement, “but also elevate the visitor experience, ensuring the Fountain of Rings remains a cherished attraction for years to come."

GWCCA has partnered on the design with Fountain PeopleTM, a company that contributed to the original Fountain of Rings design as part of a team in the 1990s. Hogan Construction Group is serving as general contractor.  

Meanwhile, GWCCA officials reported the park’s ongoing visitor information center renovation is expected to finish in mid-July.

How ongoing enhancements of Centennial Olympic Park's visitor information center are expected to look when finished this summer. Courtesy of GWCCA

A new exhibit added to the facility will celebrate the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, providing detailed information and showcasing an array of local memorabilia. The goal with that project, per GWCCA, is to engage visitors while “highlighting the significant impact the Olympics had on the community and preserving the legacy of the games for future generations.”

Head to the gallery for a closer look at changes bound for downtown's centerpiece park. 

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