Centennial organizers throw back the dolphin

June Casagrande

Plans for a dolphin statue to commemorate Corona del Mar’s centennial

have been scrapped, event planners announced Tuesday.

Members of the Corona del Mar Centennial Foundation Board decided

to cancel the statue after several attempts to find a suitable

location went down in flames of resident protest. The idea to install

the statue at Inspiration Point drew the most ire, as Ocean Avenue

residents angrily objected that the statue would obstruct their view

of the Pacific.

“As a result of extensive community outreach and participation,

the planning committee arrived at the best decision as we look for

ways to celebrate the centennial,” said Peggy Fort, chairwoman of the

committee.

A time capsule that was to be part of the statue is still being

planned, but it won’t be installed at Inspiration Point, Fort said.

Nor will it be in the median on Coast Highway, as committee members

had considered, because the roadway is owned by Caltrans and thus

outside the city’s control. A new location will be chosen with

community input, Fort said.

“There’s still a lot of support for the idea of trying to create

something to leave behind in honor of the centennial -- whether it’s

the time capsule to leave behind to inspire future generations or

something else,” Fort said. “So we’re just trying to listen to the

community and come up with a plan that everyone will embrace and be a

part of.”

The dolphin statue, which was to be created by sculptor Wyland,

served as a lightning rod of controversy that obscured other elements

of the centennial plans. Leaders hope that, with this controversy out

of the way, they can move forward with planning the events.

The village’s 100-year anniversary celebration will take place

from Oct. 14 to 17 with a beach expo, an outdoor concert, historical

exhibits and other events.

“I think they’ve made a very healthy decision for the committee as

well as the community,” said City Councilman Steve Bromberg, who with

Councilman Don Webb has worked closely with committee members to plan

the celebration. “Everyone has the same common goal, and that is to

have a knockout program for the Corona del Mar centennial.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

[email protected].