Knights of Columbus sells building to Gonzaga

Gonzaga University has purchased the Knights of Columbus building at 302 E. Boone Ave. A joint press statement issued by Gonzaga and the Knights on Monday said the sale is part of an agreement the two organizations entered into seven years ago.

The Spokane County assessor’s website recorded the sale price of the 1957 building as $852,500 on Aug. 22.

The Knights will continue to lease about 20 percent of the building, including the lounge area and an office space, while looking for a new location in the Logan neighborhood.

Gonzaga spokesman Peter Tormey said the building is contiguous to campus and that’s why the acquisition makes sense.

“We don’t have any immediate plans for the building,” Tormey said. “The university is always looking to the future and it could be used for many different things.”

In Monday’s statement John Kupice, deputy grand knight of Columbus Council 683, said that the organization has experienced an aging and declining membership over the years.

Kupice said in the news statement that the Knights have enjoyed a collaborative relationship with Gonzaga and the group is looking forward to that continuing.

“The council will focus on our core values of our mission statement: charitable activities, fraternity and Catholic faith-based outreach,” Kupice said.

Over the years, the Knights of Columbus Hall has served as a meeting place for many community organizations, as well as hosted countless family celebrations for the Knights and community members.