Work on renovating and expanding the Shawano Recreation Center is on track to be completed by June 2026, and the Shawano Park and Recreation Commission got to see how far things have progressed.
Parks and recreation director Matt Hendricks said he has been meeting with construction officials weekly to find out how things are progressing and figuring out what to tackle next on the $5.25 million project. Things kicked off as summer began, and most of the building has been gutted to begin renovations in earnest this fall.
A slab of concrete facing Division Street will be the future classroom and technology space that will allow the community to utilize Internet and other amenities for telehealth and Zoom meetings. That work is expected to start in September.
“It’s something that someone who is passing through and visiting that day can use,” Hendricks said.
The south and west walls of where the exercise area is located will be completely glass, and it is expected to grow to 2 1/2 times its size, according to Hendricks.
“The equipment is going to be top of the line, the kind of equipment used for general recreation, general high school weight rooms,” he said.
Once the infrastructure is completed, the city’s utility bills are expected to drop significantly from the $40,000 to $50,000 spent annually, Hendricks said.
The brick that currently serves as the chimney on top of the center will be repurposed as part of the new front desk.
Hendricks said utilizing the new construction firm 8Pine has been one of the better decisions the city has made. He noted that he’s already been called as a reference check for the company several times.
“They’re probably one of the best contractors I’ve worked with on any project,” Hendricks said. “Their attention to detail is awesome. They’re forward thinking.”
The building once completed, is expected to operate with the same amount of staff as before, according to Hendricks, so it will help mitigate future expenses from the recreation budget. The design of the building was set up so more people would not be required, he said.
“Wherever we can use existing people and existing staff to run the facility, it was fully our intention,” Hendricks said.
The racquetball court is expected to be built behind the existing building, with a glass wall to allow staff to observe in case any issues arise.
Hendricks said the recreation center, once everything is completed, will be more accessible to the community.
“Every service that was offered will be offered again, and probably the most coolest thing for me is the use of the multipurpose spaces and having the community in here,” he said. “Whether that’s the Optimists Club or a youth league wanting space to meet, that’s great. We want them in this building.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
