RIVERSIDE

Garling Construction, a Cedar Rapids construction firm that built the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center in Mount Vernon among other facilities, won a bidding process to be the builder of the Riverside Wellness Center.

Garling had a winning bid of $10.095 million for the project, beating out 11 other bids.

The Buresh Wellness Center is one of the recreation centers visited by Riverside City Council members while designs for the city’s own recreation center were being studied.

The City Council approved Garling during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday.

Bids ranged up to $11.092 million.

The Wellness Center is being financed in part by an $8 million bond passed by Riverside voters last year and by a Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant.

Brian Boelk, the city’s engineer and co-founder of Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants, said construction will begin in October or November with completion in spring 2028.

The city is planning a groundbreaking ceremony for October.

The Wellness Center will be located near Highland Elementary School and will include a full basketball court, running track, fitness areas and locker rooms.

Museum Agreement

The City Council approved a hotel/motel funding agreement of $30,000 with The Voyage Home Riverside History Center, a museum and gift shop on the eastern side of downtown Riverside that features Star Trek and historic Riverside displays.

The agreement covers Fiscal Year 2027.

The funds are used mostly to cover rental space at the building on Highway 22. Monthly rental costs have risen from $1,475 in 2018 to $2,500 in 2026. The current rental agreement expires at the end of October.

“Right now, we’re really getting strapped,” said Phil Richman, Voyage Home and History Center President.

The museum’s operation is covered with volunteer workers and is open noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

City Council members did discuss the city eventually purchasing a property that would be used for the museum instead of paying out rental fees.

Annexation Hearing

A public hearing on city annexation of Washington County land for the Blackjack Beach RV & Water Resort was delayed until the City Council’s meeting Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

The Elite Hospitality Group is seeking the annexation so that the $35 million water park can have access to city water and other infrastructure.

The Blackjack Beach RV & Water Resort is expected to feature a 70,000 square-foot water park that will have three pools, a water slide tower, a swim-up bar and a sandy beach. The RV portion would have 154 parking spots and a clubhouse building of 14,000 square feet.

A site plan for the project was approved by the City Council earlier this month.

New Council

Travis Riggan, who won a special election Sept. 8, took his City Council seat for the first time Monday.

Riggan is President of the Riverside Area Community Club and the lead organizer for Trekfest.

His term expires at the end of 2029.

Council Action

The Council approved the job description for a public works position.

The Council approved a proposal for an employee handbook review.

Next board meeting:

The City Council’s next formal session is at 6 p.m. October 5.