RIVERSIDE

Talk of a community center has continued to heat up in Riverside.

Two weeks ago, the members of the Riverside City Council went to Mount Vernon for a tour of the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center.

Monday night, the City Council has called a work session to talk about the trip to Mount Vernon and its hopes for a community center in Riverside.

“They have a really nice facility,” Riverside Mayor Allen Schneider, who was among the group to tour the community center in Mount Vernon, told The News. “I think it was good for our group to see the possibilities. It was also helpful to hear what they learned from the project and what they might do differently today.

“The building was fairly busy while we were there,” Schneider added. “I definitely think something similar would be great for Riverside.”

Riverside’s community center would be built on property near Highland Elementary School. A total cost has not been estimated yet, pending designs, but it will be in the millions of dollars. A bond referendum placed on the ballot this November by Highland Community Schools calls for $15 million in facility improvements, including at Highland Elementary.

The City Council is planning a number of public sessions in the future to get public input about a community center.

The $7 million Buresh Wellness Center in Mount Vernon is 33,000 square feet and includes a gym, running track, sport courts, fitness studio and climbing wall.

Halloween Times

Trick or Treat times for Halloween have been set in Riverside.

The times are 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 31.

Kirk ADA

Axiom Consultants, of Iowa City, reported to the Council that final designs are being worked on for revisions to the James T. Kirk Birthplace ADA monument project. The monument is located just south of City Hall.

The Kirk monument, which currently faces south, will be moved west in the landing area and placed to instead face east so that it is facing Greene Street and more easily viewed from the highway. The ADA ramp, which was already installed as a part of the project, will remain where it is, but the top of the landing area will be flattened just in front of the new area where the monument will be located.

Council Action

The Council approved a proposal of $7,167 from D & N Fence, of Cedar Rapids, for the purchase and installation of a security fence around Lift Station #4.

The Council awarded its annual financial audit, Fiscal Year 2024, to Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co., of Atlantic, for $17,500.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. October 21.