Unlike a rumor that has been circulating through town, the Albert Lea Salvation Army has not entered into negotiations with local Elks Lodge 813 for a purchase of its building, local Salvation Army Capt. Jim Brickson said Tuesday.

“Officially, unofficially, we have not been contacted, nor have we contacted anyone about purchasing that property in Albert Lea,” Brickson said.

During the past few months, several rumors have spread through Albert Lea regarding the future of the local Elks Lodge.

Elks Lodge leaders have been hesitant to talk about the rumors — including whether the lodge is closing or if the property will be sold. All that is confirmed is Elks leaders have been in talks to seek a deal of some sort.

One of the most recent rumors circulating is that the local Salvation Army has entered into negotiations with the lodge’s leaders for the property.

Brickson said though the needs and demands of the local Salvation Army have significantly increased in recent months to the point that the chapter is outgrowing its facility, it will probably not be able to get a new space in the near future. Such talks are probably years down the road, he said.

“We’re not actively in a position where we can afford to buy a new building, nor have we talked to them at all,” he said.

However, if the Elks, or any organization, simply gave the Salvation Army a building, the organization’s leaders wouldn’t turn it down, Brickson added.

The Salvation Army provides a growing number of services, including food assistance, utilities assistance, an afterschool program, Christmas assistance, social work, counseling, disaster relief and spiritual guidance, among others.

As the economy has weekend, the need for these services has risen. And as the need for services has risen, so has the space needed to fill those needs, Brickson said.