LC Credit Union project under way
Brad Fuqua/The Western News Chari Lucas at the controls of an excavator breaks ground during a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
At the controls of an excavator with the mayor, city council members, a county commissioner, chamber president and other local dignitaries looking on, Chari Lucas scooped up some dirt and flashed a big smile.
The moment on Tuesday afternoon represented an important milestone in the quest to bring a new Lincoln County Credit Union building to Libby. The groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of the construction of a 9,000-square-foot building on the corner of Sixth Street and Commerce Way.
“We’ve been in the current building since October 1998 so it’s been a little over 10 years,” Lucas, Lincoln County Credit Union president, said after expressing her thanks to various players that helped the project become a reality. “We’ve just outgrown our space. Last year, we really started to address the space needs.”
Contractors are expected to start moving ground at the work site next week. Boulware Construction will manage the building project with a variety of local subcontractors hired to handle on.
“That is the best part … it’s giving people local jobs,” Lucas said.
Indeed, a local construction project in town provides a positive boost to a community that has been through the wringer with unemployment and negativity surrounding the W.R. Grace trial in Missoula. Mayor Doug Roll was excited to see such a project showing Libby in a positive light.
“It’s a great addition; it’s visible from the highway,” Roll said. “We’re taking care of an open lot that’s been open here for so long.”
If the project is finished on schedule, completion would occur by November, Lucas said. The building will have a community room so the credit union can offer financial education sessions to Lincoln County residents. In addition, a consumer resource area with two computers offering Internet access will be offered.
“It is a privilege for LCCU to add a beautiful new building to our community, and I’m very thankful for the opportunity I have been given to work with so many quality people to bring this to fruition,” Lucas said.
Bill Bischoff, board chair of the LCCU, added, “This is exactly what the City of Libby and Lincoln County needs. The new facility project will produce local jobs, purchasing of supplies locally, and an excitement for the future.”
As for her short gig handling an excavator, Lucas doesn’t have any earth-moving experience in her past work history. Terry Oedewalt took time to give her a quick lesson.