Church will get a new home in Westlake Village
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

Rivers Community Church is getting a new home.

It previously shared facilities to conduct services and was recently approved for a new location at 5740 Corsa Avenue in Westlake Village. Rivers Community will occupy units 102 and 104 of the building which will accommodate a sanctuary, offices and classrooms.

It will occupy 5,250 square feet.

Rivers Community began conducting worship services in August 1997, using Bethany Baptist Church. Services were offered only at night because of the agreement. After about four months, the church relocated to Hillcrest Christian School and continued with evening services. A year later, it moved again, this time to the Los Robles Inn and Golf Course when Rivers Community had its first Sunday morning church service.

After Los Robles was torn down last year, Rivers Community moved to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in October.

But Pastor Mat Garcia looks forward to the new location.

"Our primary use of this new facility will take place on Sunday mornings, with a service starting time of 10 a.m. and a completing time around 11:30 a.m.," Garcia said. "During this time, the 3,000 square-foot-unit will be used primarily for worship service, which will include worship, prayer and Bible teaching.

"The rooms at the front of the 3,000 square-foot-unit will be used for babysitting during worship service times only."

Garcia also said a neighboring 2,250 square-foot-suite would be used for children’s Bible study.

The structure at 5740 Corsa Avenue is comprised of seven suites and is currently occupied by three tenants, including a personal training academy, a private antique car restoration shop and a reproduction facility.

The building is inside a fully developed industrial area with no residents within about 1,200 feet.

The church can use 17 parking spots of the 44 available at the location during normal business hours, which are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To provide for periodic monitoring of the church in terms of parking and overall compatibility, the city of Westlake Village approved a conditional use permit, limited to five years.

To continue the agreement, River Community must apply for a renewal at that time.

"Our first glimpse of working with the city of Westlake Village has encouraged us beyond words," Garcia said.

"We look forward to a long and lasting relationship with (the city)."