OKLAHOMA CITY – Taking a cue from the five-year old Credit Union House in Washington, D.C., the Oklahoma Credit Union League is making plans to build a state version to be opened here probably in 2007. "This is an idea that started among our own members back in 2001 when Credit Union House was first opened and then we thought it might be a great idea to have one in our state," said Lisa Finley, president/CEO of the League. The CU House plan as outlined to delegates at the League's annual meeting here Sept. 9 is to raise $800,000 to $850,000 in a stock sale to erect the 6,000 square-foot facility on a major thoroughfare near the capitol. The facility, which would be used for League meetings, receptions, education classes and as a public showpiece, is slated to open within the next 18 months "or perhaps sooner" depending on how fast funding, design and construction gets under way. Just exactly where the one-story CU House would be built remained uncertain but one piece of vacant property "owned by a credit union" and on Lincoln Boulevard is a prime site, said the League. The idea of CU House, said Finley, follows the model of the D.C. facility which is run by state Leagues and is used for meetings and to entertain lawmakers. It also serves as a gathering spot for CUNA's Hike the Hill. Finley said the CU House concept had been kicked around for years but plans were finalized over the summer when the League Board-considering a relocation of headquarters from Tulsa to Oklahoma City-decided on dual sites making use of CU House. A large contingent of CUs, particularly in Oklahoma City, have in recent months maintained League offices needed to be closer to the capitol for lobbying purposes. Finley said the dual concept combined with CU house seemed like a workable solution agreed to by directors. "We're really excited about our plans and are now in the process of selling stock in a corporation with an offering price to be determined," said Finley adding design of the facility and architects for the project are being worked on, Like its counterpart in Washington, D.C., the CU House will house receptions for lawmakers and the public as well as serve as a meeting site for League business. Half of the 20-employee League staff will stay in Tulsa and the remainder moved to Oklahoma City. Finley said she expects the stock offering to secure funding will go out in the next four to five weeks. Any Oklahoma CU is eligible to purchase shares in the limited liability corporation with a ceiling set on minimums. [email protected]