Rosemont waterfall at Higgins and River getting upgrades

Rosemont is upgrading its waterfall at Higgins and River roads, but the ongoing construction work has meant the popular spot for wedding photos is out of commission for the year.

A $1.1 million renovation of the waterfall began this summer and is expected to be complete by next spring.

Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens said he's fielded several calls from residents who saw the water stop flowing and construction crews begin to demolish layers of rock.

Not to worry, Stephens says: The village is paying to have the waterfall spruced up with installation of more realistic-looking rocks, changing the elevations of the rocks, and creating a more contained water flow.

“It will have a different appearance,” Stephens said.

On Wednesday, the village board approved a $72,195 proposal from Pro-Pump Inc. to remove, repair and reinstall the water pumps — one part of the overall project.

Stephens said the waterfall has been in place for at least 20 years and was one of the first projects his dad, Rosemont founder and longtime Mayor Donald Stephens, tasked him with overseeing. Before then, the northeast corner of Higgins and River was home to a pub and bait shop.

The original design of the waterfall was done by the same company that worked on waterfalls at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

The Rosemont waterfall has hosted brides and grooms and their wedding parties for years. A village branding focus group determined it was one of the most notable parts of town, Stephens said.

The staff at the Rosemont Park District, which charges $50 per half-hour to take photos, has been encouraging couples to get photos taken at Community Park, located behind the Westin Hotel at 9501 W. Glenlake Road, while the waterfall is out of service.

Construction crews plan to test out the refurbished waterfall in the fall, then winterize it before opening it to the public in the spring of 2015.