CdA Mines donates $200,000 to new library

Managers, employees and shareholders of Coeur d’Alene Mines have donated $200,000 toward costs for the city’s new library, nudging fundraising organizers closer to completion.

“We’re within $300,000 of our goal,” said Ruth Pratt, director of the Coeur d’Alene Library Foundation.

Backers must raise $1.4 million toward construction and completion of the $7.2 million project.

Funding includes $3 million in general obligation bonds approved by voters in 2005.

Dennis Wheeler, president and CEO of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp., said his firm was interested in creating opportunities for the community.

“We believe that every great community has a leading library,” he said.

In recognition of the donation, the library’s 220-seat, multipurpose meeting room will be named for the company.

“It will be the largest space in the most public building in the city,” Pratt said.

Construction on the new library is expected to begin in May.