David Foster chosen to create art sculpture for Champion's Plaza

In a quest to create a signature presence for Champion's Plaza, which is on the corner of Lakeview Avenue and Highway 50, the South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday awarded a local artist and LTCC professor with the task.

The plaza is meant to honor all athletes from the South Shore who represent the community on the international sports scene, such as the Olympics. It will contain Foster's creation as well as podiums with the lake as a backdrop, the perfect place for photo opportunities.

Also accepted by the council on Tuesday was local artist Mark Allione's sports flags that will go on the three poles at the plaza.

David Foster's "Olympic Flame" beat out the other four proposals that made it through the City's request for proposal process. All the others were unique and received appreciation from the Council, but Foster's bronze flames on a stainless steel base prevailed.

"We have a great art community," Foster said after the meeting.

The flame will be 12.5 feet tall with a nine foot tall flame sitting on a three foot base on top of a six inch base. The base can be engraved if so desired. Foster said it should be complete by the end of 2016.