PEMBERTON — Because Doug Baer and like-minded preservationists stayed true to their school, Pemberton boasts a new multi-purpose municipal facility.
“We’re all excited about it. It’s kind of fun to see kids there again,” said Lu Guse, who operates a fitness center in the town of 300 residents.
Finishing touches are being placed on the 17,000-square-foot building, which includes city offices, a library, kitchen, gymnasium, community room and day-care center.
City councilman Baer said the renovation challenge was daunting when he and others began planning about three years ago.
The facility closed as a school 15 years ago and sat vacant for the next 12.
“We had to do something with the building after we bought it from the (Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton) school district for $1,” Baer said.
But despite what some people in town may have felt, buying the building for a buck didn’t mean it could be left alone as a nostalgia piece.
For complete story, see the Monday, March 3, 2008, print edition of The Free Press or sign onto our e-edition.
Click here to access Free Press e-edition
Local News
Related Photos
-
John Cross
Pemberton school revived
Community center, day care installed
- Local News
-
-
Half pound of pot found after police respond to domestic call
Jessie Alan Wiebke was arrested after about $1,200 in cash was found in his possession.
-
Barn restored to early glory to be site of service
An ecumenical church service and old-fashioned potluck dinner will be held at a renovated barn on Sunday.
-
Update: Storm causes damage throughout New Ulm area
-
Regional school, university to focus on work-skills education
The university will be corporate-sponsored, although none has officially signed on yet. The charter high school — which will be modeled in part after the New Country School in Henderson but with a “business twist” — will focus on hands-on lessons for alternative learners.
- Settlement reached in 2009 railroad, county worker crash
-
Nicollet County to start from scratch to fill top post
The County Board on Wednesday opted to re-open the application process when its five commissioners split their views on the two finalist candidates.
-
Former resort owner arrested again on meth charges
Mary Louise Pepper, 65, of Sleepy Eye was stopped on Highway 60 east of Madison Lake Thursday for driving 60 mph in a 55-mph zone. The Blue Earth County sheriff’s deputy who stopped Pepper reported seeing what he believed to be a meth pipe in her purse.
-
Blue Earth County Board approves eviction proceedings
Eviction proceedings for unpaid taxes are rare — county officials can’t remember any happening in the past few decades.
-
Attorney wants charges dropped in drive-by shooting
Alexander Marxen, 18, was one of four people arrested when a van was stopped March 6 after police responded to a report of a drive-by shooting at 107 Allen Court in west Mankato.
-
DNR expands fishing opps with more docks
Department of Natural Resources is trying to expand fishing opportunities for those without boats by building new public fishing piers and renovating older ones.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Half pound of pot found after police respond to domestic call
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
