Students and staff at Shawano Community High School were excited to officially open its new athletic stadium to the public Aug. 17 as more than 200 people wandered around to see the artificial turf, brand new bleachers, scoreboard and more that will be the home for the Hawks for many years to come.
From the $51.2 million referendum project, about $5.5 million went into the stadium, which will host football and soccer games, along with track meets. Work began on the stadium began in fall 2025 just after the football and soccer seasons ended.
“To our students, families, community members, alumni and guests that have joined us today, this stadium belongs to you, too,” said Kurt Krizan, superintendent. “It’s a reflection of the investment the community made in our schools and the young people we serve.”
Krizan acknowledged the work done by Hoffman Planning and Design to make the stadium a reality, along with construction crews and district staff.
“The two words of ‘thank you’ don’t seem to magnify the pride this moment brings to me, but no two words can sum up the gratitude on behalf of the district,” Krizan said.
He noted that getting the referendum approved was the easy part, but then the hard work came in turning the stadium into a reality. He noted careful planning and difficult decisions went into what people were viewing after the ceremony.
“A project of this size does not happen without an enormous number of people doing their job, often behind the scenes,” Krizan said. “I want to thank the students and their families. You’re the reason we’re here. The stadium will host games, meets, practices, classes, celebrations and memories, but the facility itself is not the important part. The most important part will be the students who walk on the field, run on the track and cheer in the stands. They will learn how to compete, how to work together, how to handle disappointment, how to lead and how to represent their school and their community.”
Shawano School Board President Christine McKinnies said she sees the stadium as a lasting legacy, even when the moments of the opening ceremony are forgotten.
“Today, we see the part of a physical realization of this community’s investment,” McKinnies said. “For years to come, this field will be a place where games will be played, the marching band will perform, the bleachers will be filled with our staff, our students and families.”
The Hawks’ first home game will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 against Lakeland Union.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
Shawano Community High School students walk around the new field at the high school stadium Aug. 17 , made with artificial turf to cut down on maintenance costs. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
Shawano School District Superintendent Kurt Krizan puts the new bronze plaque upright, as it was too heavy for one person to lift, that will hang from the ticket booth of the new Shawano Community High School stadium. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
Shawano School District Superintendent Kurt Krizan stands at the podium by the new entrance for the Shawano Community High School stadium Aug. 17 as he talks about the hard work that went into building a brand new facility for the school’s athletic programs. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
Shawano School District Superintendent Kurt Krizan is flanked by Shawano Community High School students and staff, as well as Shawano School Board members, as he cuts the ribbon Aug. 17 declaring the new high school stadium officially open. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
Shawano Community High School employees Hannah Hoffman, left, and Jamie Van Den Heuvel package more popcorn Aug. 17 inside the new concession stand at the high school stadium. (Lee Pulaski | NEW Media)
