Cedar Falls Beach House Re-Opens after 2008 Flood

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Falls is celebrating the reopening of the Island Park Beach House after the original structure was destroyed by floodwaters in 2008.

A ceremony will be held Thursday to commemorate the reopening after seven years of planning and fundraising. The first event at the new beach house will take place Oct. 15 with a potluck for the North Shore Boat Club.

Businessman Dave Krejchi says the beach house, an institution in Cedar Falls for 90 years, is an important part of the city's quality of life.

The beach house cost about $650,000 to rebuild. Krejchi says the new structure retains some of the same architectural qualities, but it's made of concrete instead of wood.

A larger celebration is planned in June.