‘Once-in-a-generation’ upgrades begin at Moline’s Riverside Center

Eric Griffith has heard plenty of “used to be” comments about the Riverside Family Aquatic  Center at 3300 5th Ave., Moline. “In the past three years, people always talked to me about what this facility used to be,” said Mr. Griffith, parks and recreation director for the city of Moline. Now, Riverside’s proud past is […]

Eric Griffith has heard plenty of “used to be” comments about the Riverside Family Aquatic  Center at 3300 5th Ave., Moline. “In the past three years, people always talked to me about what this facility used to be,” said Mr. Griffith, parks and recreation director for the city of Moline. Now, Riverside’s proud past is about to be replaced with a bright future centering on almost $7 million in updates and improvements. Those updates started with a groundbreaking ceremony Monday afternoon, April 10. It attracted about 50 people from the community to Riverside.

“I hope this place brings back many fond memories. … But this plan is a bold vision,” said Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati during Monday’s Riverside ceremonies. That bold vision was expected to start construction today, Tuesday, April 11, and is scheduled to be completed in time for the Memorial Day holiday week in 2024, said Mr. Griffith.

In fact, some of the construction equipment for the Riverside project was already at the aquatic center on Monday. Expected features of the $6.825 million project include: three new water slides, a lazy river, splash pad, 12 new shade structures, updated concessions, nighttime lights, a shared park shelter, 200 bench chairs and family restrooms. During the ceremony, Mr. Griffith, Mayor Rayapati, City Administrator Bob Vitas and other city and community leaders thanked the officials, business, community and civic group members who have supported the Riverside renovation and the city's parks and recreation facilities.

“We have one of the best park systems in the Quad Cities,” Mr. Vitas said. Early this year, the city of Moline announced that the Riverside Center would be closed for this season for the upgrade project. The partnership between Moline Parks and Recreation and Two Rivers YMCA will continue when the new facility opens in 2024. Two Rivers YMCA members will have full access to the improved Riverside Family Aquatic Center as part of their membership, with no additional cost. Mr. Griffith added that he hopes residents will remember Riverside’s proud past, but will also look forward to next year’s renovations. “This is going to be a once-in-a-generation facility,” he added.