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Foundation Launches Capital Campaign
Mission is to Improve Activities Facilities
In 1958, when the new Rhinelander High School was opened, it's activity facilities were considered the finest in the Wisconsin Valley Conference, featuring the only indoor swimming pool, a large gymnasium and a state of the art auditorium. These facilities handled programming needs of the times with ease as 145 participants, roughly 12% of the student population, took part in one of 6 boys sports.
Today's students are faced with vastly different circumstances. With 22 different sports, a total of 51 teams servicing over 600 Rhinelander High School students, a full 62% of the school population. Gymnasts are forced to practice in hallways and the cafeteria. Some basketball and volleyball teams must be transported to outlying schools. The Dance team practices in the lobby, using the reflection from the front doors as their mirrors. The weight room is small and inaccessible. The five-lane swimming pool makes any meet larger than a dual difficult and some levels of competition are impossible. Baseball, softball, soccer, and track compete for indoor space while snow and ice cover outdoor fields often into April. The lack of an indoor track leaves all athletes running in the halls.
Several additions have taken place to the High School, but the athletic/performance arts areas remain primarily unchanged from their earliest versions. A recent facilities needs assessment completed under the direction of the School District of Rhinelander found that RHS was a very functional educational environment with the exception of athletic/recreational facilities and performing art areas. Additional gymnasium space and an accessible weight room/fitness center were identified among needs at James Williams Junior High.
The Hodag Facilities Foundation has formed to generate alternate revenue sources to meet these needs. A three-year capital campaign to raise 18 million dollars is being initiated to complete the improvements. Planned at RHS are: a field house for activities and community events, an aquatic center featuring an 8-lane competition pool, main level weight room/fitness center, dedicated space for gymnastics & wrestling, multipurpose rooms, and new locker & team rooms for both boys and girls, allowing the district to correct code violations. The junior high would see additional gym space and a new weight room/fitness center. Although a number of financing options will be pursued, including grants and corporate sponsorships, the initial phase of the campaign will focus on private contributions. These gifts will make a meaningful difference in the experience in future activities participants and the Rhinelander community as a whole.
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