Davenport Mayor Mike Matson welcomes attendees to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St. on Thursday, Aug. 29. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
La Micheal Noles was enjoying a cookie at the new Fairmount Community Center in Davenport on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29. He liked his cookie, but was really focused on the many features inside the community center on the west end of Davenport. “I really like this,” said La Michael, 11, of Davenport. “You can go […]
La Micheal Noles was enjoying a cookie at the new Fairmount Community Center in Davenport on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29. He liked his cookie, but was really focused on the many features inside the community center on the west end of Davenport.
1 of 10
The new Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St. has 4,500 square feet of space. The space includes a basketball hoop, partial gymnasium and service kitchen. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A monarch butterfly is released on Thursday as part of the opening ceremonies for the new Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held for the new Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St. on Thursday, Aug. 29. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is the gym area of the new Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Clay Merritt, director of engineering and capital projects for the city of Davenport, welcomes guests to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Fairmount Community Center at 2980 N. Fairmount St. on Thursday, Aug. 29. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
An open house is held inside the Fairmount Community Center.
The multi-purpose center, which started construction in July of 2023, includes a designated space for sports and other recreational activities, and space for community functions and meetings.
Marion Meginnis, left, a member of the Davenport City Council, visits with a resident during the community center open house.
People look over the new community center.
Inside the new community center.
“I really like this,” said La Michael, 11, of Davenport. “You can go next door (to the Davenport Public Library – Fairmount Branch) and read and then come over here to play.”The Davenport boy was one of about 100 people to tour the new center on a hot, sunny Thursday afternoon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house for the new $3.6 million facility. It’s at 2980 N. Fairmount St. next to the public library.The multi-purpose center, which started construction in July of 2023, includes a designated space for sports and other recreational activities, and space for community functions and meetings.“This is just so good. … It’s going to give kids in this part of town a place to go,” said Joyce Miller, a Davenport resident who was at the ceremony and open house.One of the main features of the community center is that the kids’ parents will be able to rent the new community center for special events. Fees are a $100 refundable deposit at the time of reservation, and a four-hour minimum for $160 on Fridays through Sundays. (Go here to reserve the center. Programming and reservations at the new center start Oct. 1.)“People are really excited to finally have this center ready for rental,” said Chad Dyson, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Davenport.“We’re grateful to the public for providing input during the planning process to help us bring this community center to life,” Mr. Dyson added in a news release.
Loaded with features
Here are some of the features of the new community center:
The center has 4,500 square feet of space. The space includes a basketball hoop, partial gymnasium and service kitchen.
The community center has a capacity for 165 people with tables and chairs.
The building has floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a light and bright open space.
The new center also has a second floor, but that space is not open to the public. The second floor is filled with HVAC equipment and mechanicals for the building.
The center will have limited hours while staff is being finalized in the next few weeks. But once open, the open gym/drop in hours will be 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The available reservation hours starting on Oct. 1 will be: 5-10 p.m. on Fridays; 1-10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
The center was made possible by city council-approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated for the project.
Staff, public get credit
During Thursday’s opening celebration, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson thanked city staff members and elected officials for their hard work in making the new center a reality. He also thanked members of the public who contacted city officials over the years and pushed for the community center on the west side of the city.“Boy, what a transition. … It’s due to people who give a damn,” said Mr. Matson.The mayor added that he is impressed with the “transition” of the Fairmount Street neighborhood just south of Hickory Grove Road. In the past decade or so, the area has gone from vacant space to now having the Davenport Public Library – Fairmount Branch, the Scott Community College West Campus building and the Fairmount Community Center.“What a great little corner of Davenport. … A few years ago, there was nothing here. Now, we have this,” he said.
