Eureka bank rebuilding planned

The Eureka branch of Glacier Bank will be rebuilt at the same location where fire destroyed its original building in October.

Glacier Bank Senior Vice President Jim Ness said plans are in place to have a new and improved facility operating at its original location on U.S. 93 by November.

Glacier Bank employees initially relocated to space provided by the Whitefish Credit Union and First Interstate Bank after the Oct. 14 fire rendered the building a total loss.

“We certainly have a lot of appreciation for what they did for us,” Ness said.

Operations were moved in mid-November to a modular unit on U.S. 93 just north of Eureka city limits.

Shipped in from Texas, the modular building allows customers to conduct most transactions, though the bank’s ATM still is at its original location.

Ness said the new facility, to be built on portions of the original foundation, is being designed by Kalispell-based Meredith Construction Co. owner Dave Meredith and architect Ted Clark.

“They’ve drawn out and are now detailing the plan,” Ness said.

Initial designs call for a 4,670-square-foot ground-level banking center with a three-lane drive-through.

The second floor will be built as a plaza that will include a 1,200-square-foot community room to be used for events and various local organizations, Ness said.

‘We’re going to try to start construction as soon as the ground thaws, hopefully by March,” Ness said.

The bank’s staff has been reduced since the fire, mostly because of the sharp reduction in space, according to Ness and Glacier Bank President Bob Nystuen.

“They’re aren’t as many people in our office as there once was, but it was a matter of space,” Ness said, adding that the mobile unit is about 1,600 square feet while the building that burned was 6,000 square feet.

 Nystuen continues to thank businesses, first responders and individuals who assisted Glacier Bank during and after the fire.

“I cannot say it enough what a phenomenal response we’ve had from north Lincoln County,” Nystuen said. “Everyone up there has come to our aid during this time of need.”

State fire investigators ruled out arson as a cause for the fire and determined it was accidental.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com