February 5, 2021 at 8:35 a.m.
Dome, done
Ribbon cutting opens $8.5 million facility to community use
Dome, done
That the oversize cutting instrument was wielded by Dr. Lee Swank, who kicked off the whole dream with his $500,000 donation in late 2018, was a special moment for all involved.
Swank and family were looking for a way to help local student-athletes whose spring sports practice schedules are often hampered by cold weather when he made the donation to the Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF).
All the planning and hard work over the last two years has culminated in the $8.5 million Hodag Sports Complex. The 128,000-square foot air-supported Hodag is the centerpiece of the facility.
School officials and community members who spearheaded the project call the dome a "game changer" that will help student athletes prepare for, and even be home to, competition; allow for physical education classes, and be a multi-purpose facility that can host any number of community events. It is the largest high school owned and operated dome in the United States.
The Hodag Dome sports a full regulation artificial turf football field that has additional markings for a full size soccer field, two softball diamonds, four tennis courts which can also be configured for pickleball, or volleyball or basketball, 100-meter rubberized running lanes for dash/hurdles as well as long/triple jump, pole vault and high jump areas.
Outside are two softball fields which will go into use in spring 2022, a practice field and a new junior varsity baseball field was constructed next to the varsity tennis courts that can be used this spring.
Eric Burke took over as SDR superintendent at the start of the 2020-21 school year. He was between his first and second and final interview with the School Board for the position at this time last year, when the board was finalizing plans for the project.
"Although I knew about the project, I had no real idea of how big this project was going to be, for the district and for the community," Burke told gathered community members and journalists during Monday's ceremony. "This is a joyous day for all of us."
Burke was the first of many people who noted that the entire project brings two outdoor softball fields, and outdoor practice field along with the flexibility of what the Hodag Dome offers in a climate-controlled environment, that will benefit not only the school district, but also the Rhinelander community and surrounding area.
"This facility is not only for our students, but also for our community," Burke said.
He thanked the School Board for having the vision to not only approve the project after embracing the concept that started as a fieldhouse addition to the high school that grew as the costs were fully explored.
In just over a year, SDR not only figured out what it could spend from its fund balance for the project, but also saw the community step up with nearly $3 million in private donations.
School Board president Ron Counter recounting some of the history behind the Hodag Sports Complex, which picked up steam with Swank's donation. He thanked everyone who had any part in the project, including donors large and small, who made the complex and dome a reality.
Those people included former superintendent Kelli Jacobi and former district director of business services Marta Kwiatkowski, who managed to grow the district fund balance to the point where it could handle the $5.7 million the district contributed to the project. He also recognized how Burke and new director of business services Bob Thom stepped into the position just as the construction got underway and the billing got really complicated.
Counter also cited everyone involved in the progress for giving of their time, talents and patience to make sure the district got the most bang for the buck possible. This ranged from administrators and his fellow board members to Janet Jamison, who the district hired to manage the dome.
Dave Heck, president of the HSF, was "a driving force in the fundraising" side of the project, Counter said.
"He has actually been working on this for over 20 years," Counter said.
Heck said that the dome wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of the individuals and companies honored on the donor wall visitors must go past to gain entry into the facility.
"We thank every one of them sincerely," Heck said. "It was one of the greatest fundraisers in Rhinelander's history."
He said RHS alumni from across the country have sent donations, expressing their pride in what their school was building.
Heck also thanked the HSF "who gave up a lot" to make the HSF and dome a reality, including many who have pushed for over 20 years to see a significant facility added to the district.
"For every person I thank, I also want to thank their family members, because every time somebody volunteers, (it takes them away from their family)," Heck said.
He concluded by saying while the Hodag Dome will add to student and student athletic success, it will benefit Rhinelander community and the surrounding area by playing host to community events beyond sports.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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