The Litchfield Public Library building fund came closer to its goal with a recent $100,000 contribution from Center National Bank.

Currently under construction, the library is scheduled to open this fall.  The estimated cost of the total project is $1.26 million.

"This contribution by Center National Bank was a tremendous boost to the fund-raising campaign," said Vern Madsen, mayor of Litchfield. "The ongoing dedication of the bank to the Litchfield area has really been an asset."

Robert Sparboe, chairman of Center National Bank, said companies have an obligation to the communities in which they do business. “Litchfield has been very good to the bank, and we feel a strong responsibility to give back to this community,” he said.  “And what better way than to support the construction of such an important asset to Litchfield and Meeker County.”

Center National Bank is a locally owned community bank with assets exceeding $100 million.

This will be a multi-purpose room that will be built within the new library and equipped with computers and technology resources for public use.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to invest in the lives of the Litchfield community," said Mark Altringer, Wells Fargo Litchfield president. "Wells Fargo has long been recognized as a trailblazer and has always been at the forefront of technology, with interactive banking tools and features, making our donation to the technology center a perfect fit."

Mayor Vern Madson, chairman of the committee, acknowledged the significant donation.

"The library will be a tremendous resource and gathering place in the community," he said. "The personal and financial involvement of the community, including businesses like Wells Fargo, are what makes Litchfield such an outstanding place."

During the committee's meeting the new library came into clearer focus.

Craig Miller of St. Cloud-based Miller Architects and Builders told committee members a 10,000-square-foot building would have a budget of $1.26 million.

The total includes a $440,000 budget for renovation of the existing 6,000-square-foot building, $520,000 for a 4,000-square-foot addition, and a $300,000 budget for furnishings and equipment.

"I have confidence we can get it done," said Madson, chairman of the committee. "I'm comfortable that it can be done."

However, if it can't be done, Miller provided the committee with options.

His company's staged-building plan would allow the trimming of about $70,000 from the budget if plans were scaled back to a 9,000 square foot building.

Madson also suggested that if fund-raising falls short, the 10,000-square-foot building still could be built, while the furniture-fixtures-and-equipment budget could be trimmed to save money. That idea seemed to have most support among committee members.

The committee will work toward an early November goal of making a decision on the final project size and budget. But Madson reiterated that he felt the $1.26 budget was doable.

With Wells Fargo Bank's contribution, the library construction fund now tops $900,000.

Several other potentially large private donors have yet to be heard from, and Kormanik continues to court a contribution from Litchfield Public Utilities.

The committee will meet again Nov. 5 at Litchfield City Hall, at which time a project size and budget will be chosen.

©Independent Review 2001