The Athens Rotary Club is chipping in to help finance the renovation of the old Kroger building into a 39,000-square-foot public library.

Friday the Rotary membership unanimously voted to donate $50,000 to the Athens-Limestone Public Library Foundation for the building to be located on South Jefferson Street.

“We greatly appreciate the vision, efforts and hard work of the Library Foundation to build a new library facility for our growing community,” said Rotary President Garth Lovvorn Sr. “The Rotary Club is vitally interested in improving the quality of life for all our citizens, which is in keeping with Rotary’s mission. It is our hope that all civic organizations, businesses, municipalities and individuals will follow suit and make the vision come true.”

Foundation President Doris Welch said that the Foundation has raised $250,000 in the first two months of the fund-raising campaign. She approached the Athens City Council a week ago and asked that body to approve affixing a $1 per room fee on motel rentals to go into a continuing fund for the library.

The council has not discussed whether it will consider Welch’s request.

The city and Limestone County each own half interest in the building.

Library Foundation member Milly Caudle when contacted while on vacation Tuesday called the Rotary donation “good news.”

“I hope it kicks up the campaign among other civic groups,” said Caudle.

According to a notification to the library, the reception area of the new facility is to be designated as the recipient of the funds.

Athens Rotary will make annual payments of $12,500 over a period of four years. The funds are to be released upon notice that the Foundation has raised 75 percent of the construction funds and upon the acceptance of a bid and signing of a contract by a general contractor.

“With the growth that is taking place in the Tennessee Valley our community can let people know that Athens and Limestone County is a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” said Lovvorn.