Riverview partners with fire department for training before demolition

SPOKANE, Wash. — Riverview Retirement Community will partner with the Spokane Fire Department to provide firefighter training opportunities before demolishing its existing care center building to make way for a new senior living complex.

The retirement community will demolish the 1959 building at 1841 E. Upriver Drive ahead of new construction scheduled to begin in spring 2026.

The Spokane Fire Department will conduct commercial fireground operations training exercises at the facility throughout January 2026 before demolition begins.

Mike Schleigh, Riverview Retirement Community’s chief operating officer, offered the space as a training ground. The fire department accepted the opportunity after conducting site tours.

“As one of the first care centers in Spokane brought to life by a community of Lutheran deacons, it is hard to say goodbye,” the organization’s leadership team said. “We are pleased to give back to the community by providing a place for our Spokane firefighters to safely train area firefighters on fire and rescue protocols.”