Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony at Riverside Town and Country Club last week were, left to right, above: Ron Smith, volunteer; Ben Gjere, past board member; Gina Zierke, past board member; Mike McNerney, current board member; Jake Lee, current board member; Amy Smith, current board member; Matt Armon, past board member.

The Board of Directors of the Riverside Town and Country Club have been doing a series of improvements to the clubhouse of the 101-year old golf course.

And, those improvements are continuing with another project – a new handicapped accessible entrance that will include a new chair lift.

Last Tuesday, June 7, they held a groundbreaking for the new addition to the clubhouse.

“Our plan for improvements to the clubhouse was called Project 21 and started seven years ago,” board member Mike McNerney said. “It was to commemorate the 100th birthday of Riverside Town and Country Club in 2021.”

McNerney pointed out that over the past seven years they have been able to accomplish a lot of the goals of Project 21, including a total remodel of the clubhouse, remodel of the banquet room, a new patio, new asphalt by No. 1 tee box and new handicapped bathrooms.

“However, due to COVID-19, we fell short of our overall goal,” McNerney said. “But now we are able to continue our projects and have this groundbreaking for the new handicapped accessible entrance, which will also allow our members and guests access to both levels of the building without having to leave the building.”

The new front entrance will be located on the northwest corner of the current building. There is some mechanical equipment located there which will be enclosed in a fenced off area.

The vestibule inside the new entrance doors will have room for coats, stairs going up to a landing, and the door that opens to the chair lift which can access the main level and the basement area.

Fundraising for the new entrance is ongoing, and anyone interested in donating is asked to contact the Riverside Town and Country Club or Mike McNerney.

Proceeds from the club’s big fundraiser of the year, Riverpalooza, will also help with the cost.

Construction is expected to start in July.

“Completing all these projects was a goal of the directors, to revitalize the clubhouse with the intentions of keeping Riverside viable for generations to come,” McNerney said.