'Ignite!' a better future for Batavia

If you have an idea for a better Batavia, March 26 is your chance to let it fly.

"Ignite! Batavia" is a daylong brainstorming session, set to identify the city's strengths and how people can build on them.

"We are going to re-envision the future of the community," said Roger Breisch, executive director of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the event.

He hopes the meeting will be as successful and inspiring as a similar one held 19 years ago. That one ultimately resulted in the development of the Batavia Riverwalk, and the Batavia MainStreet economic improvement agency.

"So 20 years from now, there will be something similar to the Riverwalk that we can look back on," Breisch said of the reason behind "Ignite!"

He hopes people will meet others and form new connections, much as he did at that workshop 19 years ago shortly after he moved to Batavia. From that, he became involved with the chamber of commerce, and led the volunteer 4th of July fireworks program for many years.

Participating agencies are the city, the chamber, MainStreet, Batavia schools, the Batavia Park District, the Batavia Public Library and Waubonsee Community College.

The meeting will convene at 8 a.m. in the Academic and Professional Center at Waubonsee's Sugar Grove campus, Route 47 and Waubonsee Drive.

The cost is $25, including breakfast, lunch and snacks.

"It will be great fun," Breisch promised.

To register, visit the "Community Calendar" page at bataviachamber.org.

The effort has a Facebook page, facebook.com/home.php#/event.php? eid=206881939478&ref=mf.