State Elks Convention Moves To Wallace

Wallace Elks are scrambling to prepare for an impromptu statewide convention moved here after a landslide closed the Lewiston lodge.

Lewiston was preparing to host the convention of 300 or more Elks representatives until a slow-moving slide came within 30 feet from the $1.2 million building’s edge last month.

The city has condemned the club, which is the largest Elks Temple in Idaho.

The Wallace Elks held the statewide convention three years ago.

“The Chamber of Commerce is pleased and we get a good response from all the business people around town,” said Wallace Exalted Ruler Wendell Badgley.

But while businesses see this as Lewiston’s loss and Wallace’s gain, some of the Wallace Elks envision it the other way around.

“I think a lot of the guys were looking forward to sitting down by the swimming pool in Lewiston and relaxing,” Badgley said.