Because Doug Baer and like-minded preservationists stayed true to their school, Pemberton boasts a new multi-purpose municipal facility.

“We’re all excited about it. It’s kind of fun to see kids there again,” said Lu Guse, who operates a fitness center in the town of 300 residents.

Finishing touches are being placed on the 17,000-square-foot building, which includes city offices, a library, kitchen, gymnasium, community room and day-care center.

City councilman Baer said the renovation challenge was daunting when he and others began planning about three years ago.

The facility closed as a school 15 years ago and sat vacant for the next 12.

“We had to do something with the building after we bought it from the (Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton) school district for $1,” Baer said.

But despite what some people in town may have felt, buying the building for a buck didn’t mean it could be left alone as a nostalgia piece.

For complete story, see the Monday, March 3, 2008, print edition of The Free Press or sign onto our e-edition.

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