A great day for Riverdale

The official opening of Riverdale Neighborhood House’s community and teen center was a long time coming.

You could go all the way back to 1872, when a local girl named Grace Dodge wanted to do something about the fact that formers in the area had nothing to read. Her effort to start a lending library gave rise to the Riverdale Neighborhood House and Library Association.

Over the years, the organization became a gathering place for the community and a venue to meet when action was needed on local matters. During World War I, Riverdalians gathered to collect cloth for soldiers overseas.

Years later, the neighborhood house hosted a memorable forum on “Riverdale 2000.” That was in 1950.

Around that time, pools were for the elite of the elite. Many apartment buildings have inviting swim facilities today, but back then, you had to have a pool on your own property if you wanted to cool down in the summer.

Thus a decades-long effort to bring a pool to regular Riverdalians was born. It was conceived as part of another thing missing in the community, a center especially for teens to gather.

That dream was realized last week during the new community and teen center’s opening. Not only does it feature a long-coveted pool on the southwest side of the building; it is also poised to be a great venue for local youths to grow.

Much credit goes to local elected officials who allocated the funds needed for the facility. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz spearheaded the effort to establish the pool and teen center years ago. His colleagues joined that undertaking. RNH board members and private citizens chipped in, too.

So, thanks to everyone who made the teen center a reality this month. Grace Dodge probably would have been proud.