Sports complex pledges, donations reach $450,000

The campaign to raise money for a sports complex in Wittenberg is starting to pick up steam.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood Superintendent Garrett Rogowski informed the Wittenberg Area Development Committee about the progress of the complex at the committee’s meeting Sept. 17.

“As of right now, there is about $450,000 in donations and pledges,” Rogowski said.

The tally is up $150,000 since Jerry Aanonsen — former Witt-Birn coach, teacher, athletic director and dean of students — gave an update in June.

With Aanonsen and others continuing to look for donations and pledges, Rogowski said he was going to discuss the Witt-Birn school board’s role with the sports complex at the next school board meeting.

“I am meeting with the board in closed session on the 27th to determine what the board’s support would be,” he said. “We know that they are going to have to be involved, too.”

Rogowski said Aanonsen has more information, but the whole process might be delayed.

“We will extend the pledge season beyond October, November,” said Rogowski. “A few key players have said that they are still not certain.”

WADC member Dick Beversdorf said that he knows one source that may not be able to make donations or pledges until 2022.

“That is fine,” Beversdorf said. “As long as they express an interest — that is a step in the right direction.”

Rogowski added there is some reluctance from the school board, due to the referendum not passing. The sports complex was originally part of a referendum in 2018. This was voted down by community members in the school district.

“They want to be very careful about saying the community voted it down, but we are going to take a backdoor approach,” Rogowski said.”They just want to be mindful about that.”

Beversdorf said that the WADC did not want to put the school board in a bad position.

He also added that it is a positive sign to see the pledges and donations continuing to grow.

“I am glad that the sports complex is not dead,” said Beversdorf.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com