New alternative high school using former fitness location
Kootenai Bridge Academy, an alternative high school, is occupying the former Precision Fitness Solutions building at 606 River Ave., Coeur d’Alene. The 4,000-square-foot facility originally was the YMCA; the outdoor swimming pool was filled in long ago to become a parking lot.
This new public charter school is advertising for students who would attend free as juniors or seniors ages 16-20 and earn a regular high school diploma starting Sept. 8. The curriculum comprises computer-based instruction, elective work-study and volunteer programs. Students work at their own pace and complete one class at a time in flexible three-hour increments for three to four weeks at the school. KBA is in addition to the existing Bridge Academy on Best Avenue and CdA Charter Academy off Kathleen Avenue.
Funded by the state according to attendance, the staff includes four veteran alternative school instructors and two staff members. Charles Kenna is the principal. Students may attend neighboring North Idaho College for dual credit. About 120 students can graduate from KBA each year. Check www.kootenai bridgeacademy.org.
Enterprise Car Rentals expands
Enterprise Car Rental will move from 411 W. Haycraft Ave. to the northwest corner of the former Montgomery Ward space in Coeur d’Alene Town Centre at 2655 Government Way at the end of the month.
The 52-year-old company, which originated in St. Louis, has more than 6,000 locations internationally. It also owns Alamo and National car rental companies.
The new space will allow an on-site car washing facility and additional parking. Offering free pick-up of clients, Enterprise has five employees here and is open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Phone (208) 765-1070.
ABCO offers free wood recycling
ABCO Wood Recycling no longer charges fees to residents who bring their clean wood materials to its plants in Post Falls, Sandpoint, Moscow and Spokane.
The company formerly charged $8.50 a cubic yard or $15 a pickup load for the recycling of all types of wood material.
“We’ve had an increasing demand for a more cost-effective way for residents to recycle what used to get burned in their backyards,” said ABCO spokesman Chris Caswell.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 to 4 Saturdays at 3175 W. Seltice Way in Post Falls and 8 to 4 Tuesday through Saturday at 484180 Highway 95 north of Sandpoint. Check www.abcowoodrecycling.com. Phone (866) 303-0663.
This week’s tidbits:
•The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association and Parkside Condominiums are combining to “build” a community park on the northwest corner of Sherman Avenue and Sixth Street. In the location that once housed a service station, it will be similar to the space formerly occupied by the Woolworth building between Third and Fourth streets. Eventually Parkside may build something on the location.
•It’s too bad some commercial property owners allow their vacant lots to be thriving knapweed “gardens” such as the one for sale between Baskin-Robbins and Dairy Queen on Appleway.
•Here are a couple of tips for Disneyland visitors such as the Rosdahls with their grandkids in one 14-hour park day last week. Rather than wait in hourlong lines for some rides, get Fast Passes and you can get to the front of the line during your assigned hour. There’s plenty to do between rides. Get a reservation and take the kids to breakfast at the Plaza Inn on Main Street to get one-on-one photos with the Disney characters; it’s great! Park admission is free with proof of a birthday attendee, and get a birthday button at City Hall.