Ballarat businessmen Michael Stubbs and Malcolm Roberts said they felt something was missing from the recreational spot, which was popular with tourists and residents. So, they partnered with City of Ballarat to bring back an off-shore fountain that had been dormant for 37 years.

It's back! The moment it springs back to life is below

The $67,000 fountain restoration will light up with different colours and lighting themes each night, from Thursday night, until 10.30pm with music to be added in what Mr Stubbs and Mr Roberts hopes would be a little reminiscent of Las Vegas.

Take a sneak peek at the fountain's night display below

"We love living here and when you travel, a lot of big waterways have water features. We thought 'wouldn't it be great to have lights and a fountain'," Mr Stubbs said. "We think of the Bellagio...Imagine having a music build-up from the fountain for the city's fireworks each year.

"We hope people will want to have their wedding photos here or when you go to dinner make sure to check out the lake."

A fountain show spectacular with music and synchronised lights was put forward as a potential addition to City of Ballarat's Lake Wendouree master plan in its draft stages two years ago.

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This fountain, which sits about 60 metres off-shore in the lake's south-east corner, was constructed as close to possible as the original fountain design which marked the centenary and site on which the first piped water supply to Ballarat was taken in 1858. The original fountain, was installed by Ballarat Water Commissioners, now known as Central Highlands Water.

A new plaque will read: water symbolises life; life symbolises hope.

City of Ballarat mayor Samantha McIntosh hoped the sound and the beauty of the fountain helped make people feel happy each time they visited the lake.

And then inspiration, perhaps, down the road in Geelong...

Cr McIntosh said it was a great achievement, especially considering the lake was dry 10 years ago.

The restoration is part of an ongoing push to bring fountains back to life across the city, including the Petersen Fountain by Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital, the Claxton fountain near the fernery and the Rustic fountain at Lake Wendouree.

"When you listen to the community, this reflects the beautiful images they have of Ballarat's history - the pictures they took by it...It says to me those memories are so important," Cr McIntosh said.

"Our goal is to remember history...At a minimum, this puts a little health and happiness into the community."

The original fountain was removed in 1982 for safety reasons for "adventurous" swimmers and high maintenance costs.

Images of the Centenary Fountain form part of Central Highlands Water's Waterworks exhibition, on show at the Ballarat Mining Exchange shopfront until October 20 as part of Ballarat International Foto Biennale.

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