ARCADIA, Wis. — On Saturday, January 4, The School District of Arcadia and surrounding community gathered to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Wanek Center, a new community recreation and event center located on the campus of the Arcadia School District. The new facility provides a wide variety of wellness and recreational activities for the public while accommodating the Arcadia School District’s facility needs for physical education classes, large group activities, and athletic practices and competitions.
The event kicked off with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony where distinguished guests, speakers and public gathered to honor the new space and the accomplishments of all involved for bringing the project to life. Speakers included Rob Reichwein, Mayor of Arcadia; Lance Bagstad, Superintendent of Arcadia School District; Paul Servais, Arcadia School Board and Ron Wanek, Founder & Chairman, Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. Following the ceremony, guests took part in a variety of activities including: storytime with Frozen’s Elsa and Anna, family yoga, a golf contest and hoops contest for all ages, door prizes, and the Arcadia boy’s JV and Varsity basketball games.
Arcadia School District voters passed a $4 million referendum by a 2:1 margin. The $4 million represented their portion of the $18 million project. The Ronald and Joyce Wanek family donated $12.5 million and the remaining $1.5 million was obtained through public and private donations, including $522,000 by the City of Arcadia. The project also benefitted from the in-kind services of Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., valued at $2,000,000.
“It’s a proud day for our family, to see this project come to fruition,” said Ron and Joyce Wanek, Chief Benefactors. “It is our genuine hope that the Wanek Center contributes to the physical, emotional and social well-being of humanity and inspires greatness within all who use it.”
The Wanek Center houses a two-court gym, boys’ and girls’ locker rooms, additional athletic practice space, weight room and music storage for the school district. A community gym, concessions, indoor run/walk track, fitness center, men’s and women’s locker rooms, exercise studio, golf simulator, batting cage, steam rooms, community meeting room, adult and youth activity space, and the Arcadia Public Library are additional features that will be open to the public.
“This is a beautiful facility that brings benefits to not only our students but also the community,” said Arcadia School District Superintendent Lance Bagstad. “We are excited to celebrate this milestone today and we appreciate everyone who helped make this project possible. We look forward to creating a culture where community and mentorship come together while providing recreation, wellness, fitness and more.”
The School District of Arcadia would like to extend gratitude to Miron Construction Co., Inc., general contractor on the project, and HSR Associates, the architect, for their work on this beautiful new facility as well as the Arcadia community, the Wanek family and the additional sponsors that made this project possible.
For more information on the Wanek Center, or for membership packages, visit www.wanekcenter.com.
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Wanek Center
The Wanek Center broke ground in Arcadia, Wisconsin in the Fall of 2018. The facility serves as a community recreation and event center as well as athletic space and office space for the Arcadia School District. The 71,500 sq. ft. facility is home to a community gym, arena, concessions, indoor run/walk track, fitness center, locker rooms, exercise studio, community meeting room, adult and youth activity spaces, and the Arcadia Public Library. The Wanek Center is a joint project between the Ronald & Joyce Wanek family, the Arcadia School District, the City of Arcadia, financed by private and public funds.
To learn more about the Wanek Center, visit www.wanekcenter.com.
School District of Arcadia
The School District of Arcadia covers approximately 211 square miles, serving the communities of Arcadia, Waumandee, Dodge, and Pine Creek located in Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties in beautiful western Wisconsin.
The School District boasts excellent facilities for academic instruction on two campuses. The high school and middles school, located on the southern edge of the city, borders Memorial Park, a showcase for the area with its beautiful buildings and nationally known Soldier’s Walk and amphitheater. The high school was built in 1998 and houses grades 9-12; the middle school was built in 2016 and houses grades 5-8. The elementary school is located on Main Street and is recognized for its diversity and meeting the needs of all students.
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