'That's what we do'

COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene Athletic Round Table donated $25,000 Tuesday to the Museum of North Idaho.

“To have an organization with that historical legacy supporting us just makes it that much more special,” said Britt Thurman, museum executive director.

The funds will go toward the museum’s new home being renovated at McEuen Park at the base of Tubbs Hill.

With the donation, the museum moves to within $200,000 of its $2.9 million goal for phase one of the project. The goal is to move from its current home next to City Park into the new home this spring

Phase two is pegged at another $3 million. When it’s all done, the museum will have nearly 12,000-square feet for exhibits, art and educational resources and include climate-controlled spaces.

The Athletic Round Table was established as a club in 1939 by a group of Coeur d’Alene leaders to support civic causes in North Idaho.

The club initially supported local high school and North Idaho Junior College athletic teams, and later expanded its reach to include schools, playgrounds and boys and girls clubs.

It also was responsible for preserving the Fort Sherman Chapel that was built in 1880. But by 1942, it was in such bad shape many feared it would be demolished. 

The Athletic Round Table bought it, worked to restore it and donated it to the Museum of North Idaho in 1984.

The club later disbanded, sold its assets and formed the Athletic Round Table Charitable Trust.

Ron Bremer, trust foundation board member, said it continues to annually support local athletics and civic projects.

“That’s what we do,” he said.

JT Jacobson, another foundation board member, said they were impressed with the museum’s expansion and plans to make it a destination stop.

Bremer said fellow board member Pat Acuff proposed supporting the museum.

“It fits right in with what we’re doing," he said. 

Thurman said the Coeur d’Alene Athletic Round Table is an important part of the city’s history.

“This is the story that we tell,” she said.