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New community center to open in Brighton

Kalen McCain

Sep. 4, 2025 12:10 pm

The HUB, - an acronym for “Helping U at Brighton” - is a new community center close to the city's hall and park. (Photo submitted)
The HUB, — an acronym for “Helping U at Brighton” — is a new community center close to the city's hall and park. (Photo submitted)

Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

BRIGHTON — A new community gathering space in Brighton will celebrate its opening with a ribbon-cutting and dedication event Sept. 13.

Brighton Community Church Pastor Rick Zickefoose is the president of HUB — an acronym for “Helping U at Brighton” — the nonprofit that will run the community center. Located just east of City Hall, he said the HUB would offer all manner of “Christian-led” programming.

“The idea is to scratch the itch, in Brighton, to restore some public, community health,” Zickefoose said. “That really has diminished over the years, and then you throw the COVID in there, and it all but shut down any local, community activity, at least in Brighton. And now, as we’re trying to reanimate that, we’ve got to find what works.”

With about 1,200 square feet of space, a kitchen and two bathrooms, the building has a wide variety of uses.

It’s no surprise that the center is already utilized several times a week. Zickefoose said tea and coffee gatherings, after-school groups, a food pantry, BINGO nights and Washington County Right to Life meetings had routine bookings at the HUB. He hopes other organizations will get involved there as well.

Inside, the HUB has about 1,200 square feet of room, enough for a kitchen, plenty of storage, and a dining area. (Photo submitted)
Inside, the HUB has about 1,200 square feet of room, enough for a kitchen, plenty of storage, and a dining area. (Photo submitted)

While not all of that programming is explicitly religious, Zickefoose said the nonprofit was an extension of local churches’ goals.

“Our church has tried a variety of community outreaches, and had success with each one, but really envisioned that we needed to get out of the church building and into the community itself,” he said. “We’re trying to target those felt needs, which is what Jesus and his disciples did. They went from community to community and touched people where they needed help the most.”

Although the center is already in-use, the nonprofit’s president said he hoped the ceremony would bring public attention to the newfound community center at 108 East Washington Street.

The HUB will hold its ribbon-cutting Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. the Ministerial Alliance will dedicate the building at 3 p.m. the same day, and cookies from Sweet Blessings Bakery and Catering will be served from 3-4 p.m. Zickefoose said the event would also feature “acoustic bluegrass gospel” music by Alice Menne’s group.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com

Washington County, Iowa