MENOMONIE – University of Wisconsin-Stout officials, students and community members gathered to break ground April 30 on a $31.7 million renovation of the campus Sports and Fitness Center, a project aimed at enhancing student health and wellness.
The renovation will add nearly 12,000 square feet of new space and update about 28,000 square feet in the existing facility, which opened in 1963. The project is expected to be completed by early 2028.
Chancellor Katherine Frank said the effort reflects UW-Stout’s focus on student success and was made possible through student support and private donations. Students approved funding through fees in 2019 and 2022, while alumni Dallas and Edye Pankowski contributed $5 million, the largest gift in university history.
Plans include converting a decommissioned pool into a multipurpose gym, relocating the weight room, expanding locker rooms and adding second-floor courts. A new entrance and atrium, named for the Pankowskis, will serve as a central gathering space.
Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel said the renovation addresses outdated infrastructure and increased demand, while state Rep. Clint Moses, a UW-Stout graduate, said the upgraded facility will help UW-Stout remain competitive within the Universities of Wisconsin system.
The project will benefit not only UW-Stout students and athletes, but the thousands of community members who come through the facility’s doors annually for sporting events and youth programs.
Students also emphasized the impact. Junior Maraya Wiltrout, a member of both the UW-Stout women’s basketball team and the Stout Student Association, said the project will improve athletic training and team cohesion, while fellow junior Ian Bryant, an orientation and first-year specialist as well as a campus tour guide, noted that campus construction reflects continued investment in students.
“This project has involved a long journey, and it is incredibly rewarding to finally gather here for the official groundbreaking,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Erin Sullivan . “This renovation will transform this space into something truly special for our campus community.”
Miron Construction will serve as general contractor.
Find additional information about the project at: UW-Stout Sports and Fitness Center Construction
