'The best spot in town'

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s home is undergoing a transformation.

“We want to make this a thriving hub and amazing resource for the community,” said Linda Coppess, chamber president and CEO.

As far as Coppess is concerned, the building at 105 N. First St. across from Independence Point offers some of the best views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and she wants to be sure it achieves its fullest potential.

“I need to be a good steward of this beautiful resource we have available to us,” she said Wednesday.

StanCraft Construction Group began work about two weeks ago to gear the building more for public and private events.

Upgrades and additions include ADA-compliant public restrooms, additional patio seating, updated audio and visual capabilities, landscaping and repairs to outside walls.

Construction is expected to wrap by the end of September.

The project is being funded with $263,000 from ignite cda, the city’s urban renewal agency, and about $100,000 from the chamber’s building maintenance fund.

Coppess, who came on board as chamber president in December 2021, said changes in how people receive travel information instigated the need to change.

When the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber’s downtown home opened in 2007, the goal was to attract 40,000 to 50,000 visitors a year.

In 2008, about 28,000 people stopped in for information about the area. In 2021, it was fewer than 9,000.

Coppess said most people today get travel information about where to stay and what to do via mobile devices.

“The visitor element has declined,” she said.

But she believes the chamber building can be one of the most popular in Coeur d'Alene due to its lakefront location and modern design with large windows.

"It's the best spot in town," Coppess said.

She sees it becoming “a bustling community hub that drives tourism, community, authentic relationships, economic development and business prosperity across our beloved region.”

There are three scenarios under which it would be used.

First, it would be still be a visitors center.

Second is what Coppess referred to as the “community space element," as it could be used for smaller gatherings when people need to meet for a short time.

Third would be larger public or private events such as business fairs, conferences, art exhibits or birthday parties.

"We want our community to be able to use this space," Coppess said. "It’s a beautiful location, and we want to be able to rent out that space."

The visitor center is closed this week for the renovation and is expected to reopen next week.

Many tenants of the building, such as the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, have continued to come to the office, while some have opted to work from home.

“It’s a little bit hybrid,” Coppess said.

Meantime, the chamber is revamping its membership levels “that will provide greater relevance for our members in our modern world."

It plans to unveil the new programs in the fall.

Since Coppess came on board, chamber membership has been rising and is today about 850.

“We're excited to do something unique and different for our members,” Coppess said.