Construction begins on new Clinton Elks Lodge after collapse

CLINTON, Mo. -- Residents say the physical recovery from last year's collapse of the Clinton Elks Lodge has begun, but emotional scars left by the death of the club's leader remain.

Club members broke ground Monday on a new headquarters for the Elks, at the same site on the town square where the old lodge came down in June, killing Elks leader Tony Komer.

Town leaders hope the new lodge helps the Elks and area businesses recover from the damage caused by the collapse on June 26, 2006.

"Physically, people are healing," said Clinton Economic Development Director Christy Maggi. "But there are still some emotional scars from that night, and that will probably be the case for some time."

The collapse killed Komer, who was on the third floor, and injured nine other Elks. It took rescuers 10 hours to free them from the debris.

The exact cause of the collapse was never determined, but Maggi said evidence pointed to deteriorated bricks in the 100-year-old building.

New Elks leader Eric Mitchell said all but one of the nine injured have mostly recovered, with one requiring neck surgery last week.

"Everything's getting better, but it's still tough dealing with the one we lost," Mitchell said.

A memorial to Komer will be placed inside the building, and an outdoor marker may commemorate the collapse, Mitchell said.

The Clinton Elks are looking forward to having a new home because the current temporary headquarters is so small that the group had to cap its membership, Mitchell said.

Maggi said she expects the new development on the town square to help nearby businesses by bringing more people to the square. Businesses suffered after the collapse, Maggi said, in part because protracted demolition efforts snarled downtown.

"We're thrilled that Kreisler's and the Elks made the commitment to remain downtown. That was a big boost to us," she said.