The Village Board voted last week to purchase the shuttered Riviera Country Club for $2.2 million and convert it into a recreation center for the east side of town.
The 107,000-square-foot facility at 8801 W. 143rd Street has sat vacant since 2021, plagued by code violations. The board called it a “blighted eyesore.”
The purchase is part of a $40.5 million bond package approved in recent board meetings. The vote was 5-1, with one trustee absent.
“The idea is to provide a multipurpose rec center for the residents living on the east side of town,” Trustee Bill Healy said.
East side families have complained for years about having to cross town to use the Sportsplex on the west side. The new facility is expected to include an athletic field house, indoor playground, senior center, and lap pool.
Village Manager George Koczwara said the village will develop a business plan before construction begins.
“This gives us control of the land first. The plan will follow,” he said.
Mayor Jim Dodge said the plan will be shaped by input from residents, particularly those on the east side.
“To be successful with this, we need to offer what our residents want there,” he said.
Some trustees expressed concern about the cost of operating a fourth municipal recreation facility, but the measure passed with majority support.
Love the senior area and lap pools and yes we are too far from sportsplex. Also please pickle board courts and free activities for seniors!!
Sorry pickleball courts!! And a room for meetings senior activities !!
Thank goodness the village stepped in. I live directly behind it, and remember what a great place it was….. It would be nice to keep the indoor/ outdoor pools, walking track and add yoga, aerobics and strength training classes.
I live three blocks away from Riviera and travel to Sportsplex three times a week. I would love something on this side of town. Centennial pool is great for families but there are so many kids, as there should be, but that stops me from joining. An outdoor pool for adults or at least adults during the week would be wonderful. Pickleball courts would be great!
Sounds great to me. The property is close enough to walk to for added exercise.
When does the work begin?
I really would like indoor & outdoor pools. I live 1 block from the health Club
Lap pool and outside pool also Pilates and yoga classes. I live a few blocks from there and it is an eye sore to our community numerous windows getting broken .
Glad this building is being taken care of of. Love the idea of a Sr. Center. Hope you are planning to use both pools.
This is the best news my husband and I could receive. We were members of the Riviera and were devastated when they closed the doors. I could not live without both the indoor and out door pools. We made many friends while we were members. It was a true oasis for both of us. I have been going to outdoor pools in Oak Lawn but there are mostly young children and the hours for adults are limited. It is actually stressful for seniors to have limited access and specific times only.