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Stout breaks ground on transformative $32M project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

giffeyt — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:17:16 +0000

Stout breaks ground on transformative $32M project to enhance athletics, fitness facilitiesgiffeyt May 1, 2026

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

A $31.7 million renovation of �� . Recreation Complex will transform the facility and provide more than 39,000 square feet of new and remodeled space for student health, fitness and wellbeing.

Campus leaders, alumni, legislators and students were among those who took part in the official groundbreaking for the project at the campus Sports & Fitness Center on Thursday, April 30.

Chancellor Katherine Frank speaks at the Recreation Complex groundbreaking on April 30.

Chancellor Katherine Frank said the project came about because of a combination of student initiative and donor generosity. Students voted to support this project in 2019 and again in 2022 through student fees, and Dallas and Edye Pankowski donated $5 million to support the project.

“We often talk about �� . Polytechnic Mission – and at the heart of that mission is student success,” Frank said. “This renovation will support student success by prioritizing student health and wellness through modern, accessible recreation and athletic spaces.”

The transformative project, which is already underway and is expected to be completed by early 2028, will add nearly 12,000 square feet of recreation space and renovate an additional 28,000 square feet at the facility, which was built in 1963. The renovation includes turning a decommissioned pool into a multipurpose gym, relocating the athletic weight room to the current fitness center and then converting the previous weight room into multi-use studios, expanding and upgrading locker rooms, creating a second-floor addition with multi-use courts, and creating a new entrance and atrium to attract and welcome visitors.

The future entrance to ��'s Sports & Fitness Center will be named in honor of donors Dallas and Edye Pankowski.

The latter space will be named in honor of the Pankowskis: Dallas, an alum, and Edye, a Menomonie native he met when she worked at ��. Their $5 million gift, the largest in the university ��. history, will help students and other community members develop and maintain active lives. The couple said their own dedication to physical activity has allowed them to pursue rigorous adventures around the world, from the glaciers of Greenland to the base camp of Mount Everest.

“We know that Stout has world-class laboratories to complement their ‘learn by doing’ philosophy,” Dallas Pankowski said. “This updated remodeling and addition to the gym facility will take a just adequate building and make it an outstanding facility. Stout is a school committed to progress.”

Dallas Pankowski, a �� alum who, with his wife, Edye, donated $5 million toward the project, speaks at the groundbreaking event.

�� Senior Facilities Officer Justin Utpadel said he is among the numerous �� alumni who benefited from using the Sports and Fitness Center for fitness, recreation, stress relief and to form connections with other students. However, over the years, it became clear that the building needed significant upgrades.

“Over time, the building ��. infrastructure, layout, and capacity have struggled to keep pace with student demand, modern standards, and evolving expectations for recreation and wellness,” Utpadel said. “This renovation directly addresses those challenges.”

State Rep. Clint Moses, a �� psychology alum who now represents the Menomonie area in the state Legislature, said the remodeled facility will enhance �� . reputation for the next generation of Blue Devils. “This is going to be state-of-the-art and on par with – if not better than – the other institutions in our UW system,” Moses said. “We need to attract these students here to create the jobs and fill the jobs Wisconsin needs.”

The project will benefit not only the thousands of community members who come through the facility ��. doors annually for sporting events and youth programs but also �� student athletes.

�� students Maraya Wiltrout, at podium, and Ian Bryant, left, spoke about the impact the project will have on the campus.

“From an athletics perspective, this project is incredibly exciting,” said junior Maraya Wiltrout, a member of both the Stout Student Association and the women ��. basketball team. “Our athletic facilities play a huge role in how we train, prepare, and come together as teams – and what we’re breaking ground on today is a major step forward for �� Athletics.”

Fellow �� junior Ian Bryant, who works as an orientation and first-year specialist as well as a campus tour guide, said the renovated facility will benefit all students’ physical and mental wellbeing.

“I often tell prospective students and their families that one of the best things you can see on a campus tour is construction – and luckily we have a lot of it,” Bryant said. “It shows that this institution is growing, it is visible proof that we are investing back into our students, and it means those students will soon have brand-new, state-of-the-art spaces to call their own. What we are seeing here at �� is exactly that kind of investment.”

Director of Athletics and Recreation Erin Sullivan credit student leaders, the campus planning team and retired Director of Athletics and Recreation Duey Naatz with creating the momentum that allowed the project to reach this point.

“This project has involved a long journey, and it is incredibly rewarding to finally gather here for the official groundbreaking,” she said. “This renovation will transform this space into something truly special for our campus community.”

This design rendering shows the interior of the addition to ��'s Sports & Fitness Center.

Wisconsin-based Miron Construction will serve as the project ��. general contractor. Andrew Daniels, senior vice president of the company ��. Eau Claire office, said the project is part of a long, meaningful partnership with ��: Miron is also general contractor for the ongoing renovation of Heritage Hall, which began last fall, and served the same role for the 2016 renovation of Harvey Hall. Such projects create applied learning opportunities for �� students who intern with Miron Construction.

“With our teams on campus every day supporting the Heritage Hall and Recreation Complex projects, we are proud to partner with �� to provide authentic, real-world experiences for students in construction management and safety and risk control,” Daniels said. “These active jobsites offer students firsthand exposure to jobsite conditions, safety coordination and the practical realities of project delivery.”

Just before 20 campus and community representatives donned hard hats and ceremonially turned over shovelfuls of soil, Chancellor Frank offered thanks for the collective effort that is bringing the project from drawing board to reality.

“The end result will be a renovated building that reflects a commitment to health and wellbeing in support of our campus and broader community,” she said.

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Stout breaks ground on transformative $32M project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majors

Women ��. and men ��. golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech playing and learning hub at ��.

Student association recommends $25.5 million rec renovation, addition

The Stout Student Association recently approved a resolution recommending adding recreational space to the university Sports and Recreation Complex that will in

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift Shovels full of soil are turned at Rec Complex groundbreaking

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Recreation Complex Renovation

A new renovated recreation complex to improve the student experience with expanded, improved fitness and recreation space.

Pankowskis’ record $5M gift provides major boost to Recreation Complex renovation

The upcoming Recreation Complex renovation at �� has received a major boost with a gift of $5 million — the largest in university history.

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Hero Caption: �� and community officials, students, alumni and other dignitaries take part in an official groundbreaking for the Recreation Complex renovation on April 30.

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Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majors

polingj — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 15:06:58 +0000

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majorspolingj October 11, 2024

Gift that created facility with state-of-the-art simulators, indoor putting and chipping green honors longtime golfer, family

Women ��. and men ��. golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech practice and learning hub at �� — the indoor Pat Kell Golf Center.

The center, in the Recreation Complex, has two state-of-the-art monitors that provide instant swing and ball data paired with two golf course simulators for year-round practice. In an adjoining room is a putting green, about 35 feet by 12 feet, and chipping area with artificial turf.

Recently, members of the Kell family joined Mike Kell to dedicate the center, built in two former racquetball courts. Mike ��. gift in honor of his wife, Pat Kell, who died in 2021, made it possible.

Mike Kell ��. gift in honor of his wife led to the creation of the Pat Kell Golf Center. / ��

Pat Kell joins her dad for a golf outing in 1958 in Madison, where she grew up. / Contributed photo

“She would be thrilled, tickled pink about this whole complex,” Mike Kell said.

The idea grew out of Pat ��. lifelong love for golf and the multiple benefits that could be realized at ��. Along with players receiving instant swing feedback — such as ball speed, spin rate, distance — they can practice indoors during winter months and play simulated rounds of golf on holes projected onto a giant screen, a version of the game that has grown in popularity across the country as technology has advanced.

GEM majors, trained to take on management positions at top golf facilities, can use the center as a lab to learn about swing instruction, club fitting, event management and more.

In addition, the center will be available to the general student body, faculty, staff and the community to reserve.

“There are a lot of things we can do that we couldn’t do before,” said Andrew Delong, men ��. team coach and GEM program director.

A member of the �� men ��. golf team uses one of the two golf simulators at the center. / ��

He noted that Blue Devil golfers by the nature of their sport didn’t have a locker room — until now. “It ��. such a great opportunity for our kids to experience the highest level of technology.”

The facility includes player lockers and a social area with a TV and couch.

Men ��. golf team member Andrew Bauer was on hand for the dedication and was practicing his chipping and putting with other men ��. and women ��. team members. “This will allow us to improve our games and gain an edge. It looks like a Division I facility,” Bauer said after personally thanking Mike Kell.

Bauer is a sophomore from Chippewa Falls majoring in business administration.

Members of the �� women ��. golf team practice on the putting green. / ��

The women ��. team recently took second place in the conference tournament, led by first-year player Julia Imai, who won the individual title by seven shots. Imai, from Brookline, Mass., is majoring in food science and technology.

Blue Devil Coach Sophia Connett, who also attend the Kell Center dedication, was named WIAC coach of the year.

Athletics Director Duey Naatz called the center a “top tier” facility and told Kell family members at the dedication that the university was “thrilled you chose to honor Pat in this way.”

Mike Kell is the son of Paul Kell, who founded Kell Container in Chippewa Falls. In 2004, Kell Container was purchased by Great Northern Corp. Kell Container and GNC have a long history of collaborating with �� and its academic programs.

Mike Kell tries a putt at the center in the Recreation Complex. / ��

Multiple Kell family members are alumni, including most recently Charlie Pierce, a 2023 graduate and grandson of Mike and Pat. Charlie graduated in packaging and works for GNC.

“The Kell family appreciates �� and always will,” Mike Kell said. “Stout made this happen.”

The gift was coordinated through the �� Foundation and Alumni Association.

The Pat Kell Golf Center is the first of many expected changes at the Recreation Complex, where a renovation supported by students is �� . next major capital project awaiting state approval.

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Women ��. and men ��. golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech playing and learning hub at ��. Kell Center simulator

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Student association recommends $25.5 million rec renovation, addition

powersp — Mon, 13 May 2019 15:55:53 +0000

Student association recommends $25.5 million rec renovation, additionpowersp May 13, 2019

In recent referendum, students voted for the option as well

The Stout Student Association recently approved a resolution recommending adding recreational space to the university Sports and Recreation Complex that will increase student segregated fees by $11.29 per credit.

An advisory referendum held in April by the student government included four questions. Nearly half, 49.5 percent, of the 1,275 students voted for the option to recycle the unused pool area into a multiuse gymnasium and improve locker and shower facilities, providing more privacy and gender-neutral options.

The option also includes new space dedicated to fitness, including strength training, cardio and fitness studio, and a single entry point to the facility for greater security.

Fitness Center member fees would be eliminated for �� students. There also would be a new space for two second-floor multiuse courts, two studio gyms and a walking and jogging track, as well as space dedicated to open recreation.

Total cost of the project is $25.5 million.

Segregated fees would be $338.50 per year on a 30-credit load, an increase of $250 per year. Segregated fees would gradually increase until construction begins, at which point the fees would remain at maximum prices through bond repayment.

SSA President Deon Canon said he believes the result of the vote showed students wanted the Sports and Recreation Complex updated to meet the current and future needs of students.

“The current Sports and Recreation Complex is inadequate and inaccessible to the majority of the student population,” Canon said. “Renovating and expanding the building will ensure students will be able to enjoy the Sports and Recreation Complex for the future.”

With passage of the resolution supporting the increase in student fees, SSA members included some requirements:

Any committee related to the Sports and Recreation Complex renovation must have at least half student membership. Those students must be confirmed by the SSA.
The complex will comply with university procedures for waste reduction.
The complex must live up to the American College and Universities President ��. Climate Commitment by being designed to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver level, in accordance with the Wisconsin State Building Commissioner ��. Sustainable Facilities Policy and Energy Design Guideline.
The complex must explore renewable energy, such as solar energy or geothermal, and follow university procedure to maximize opportunities for energy efficient equipment.

Sustainability, use of renewable energy and accessibility to all students, regardless of gender identity, are important to students, Canon said.

“Now that all students will be paying for it, we want to ensure the complex is accessible for every single student,” Canon said. “We want it to look toward the future and be sustainable and energy-efficient.”

The student government wants regular reports as the project commences, Canon said.

Mackenzie Stutzman, �� associate director of recreation, said the recreation department appreciates the SSA ��. support. “A project of this size in the area of recreation will benefit the university in many ways,” she said. “Our operations offer students an outlet to destress, socialize, meet new people, learn new skills and take up lifelong activities,” she said.

“Having the spatial capacity and availability for a wider population of students will benefit students both physically and mentally. This project will make us more relevant, bringing us closer in line with facilities in other UW System and surrounding institutions,” Stutzman said.

The improved facilities also will help with student recruitment and retention, Stutzman said. “We are excited that we will be able to reach more students through open recreation opportunities as well as with programming opportunities. We can expect to see more inclusive facilities and facilities that are up to date with many of the latest architectural trends.”

The building project will go through the state capital planning process and Board of Regents for final approval.

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Students exercise in the fitness room

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The Stout Student Association recently approved a resolution recommending adding recreational space to the university Sports and Recreation Complex that will in reccenterweb.jpg

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Hero Caption: Students work out in the Sports and Recreation Complex fitness center. The Stout Student Association has approved a resolution recommending adding recreation space to the complex. / �� photos by Chris Cooper

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Student government to hold advisory referendum on Sports and Recreation Complex

powersp — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:47:19 +0000

Student government to hold advisory referendum on Sports and Recreation Complexpowersp April 3, 2019

Segregated fees would cover cost of remodeling, addition if approved

University of Wisconsin-Stout students on Thursday, April 11, through Friday, April 12, will have the opportunity to decide if they support three potential renovations to the university Sports and Recreation Complex.

The Stout Student Association is holding the advisory referendum. Three questions will ask for additional segregated student fees to fund more recreational space, and the fourth question will be to do no renovations to the complex.

Students will be voting in an online ballot sent via email. The ballot will be available from 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 12, according to Stout Student Association President Hannah Bragelman.

To alert students to the upcoming vote, three town hall-style meetings have been held. Social media through the student government Visibility and Outreach Committee will be used to remind students of the vote. Also, the SSA plans to have a table in the Memorial Student Center to hand out sample ballots and answer questions students may have, Bragelman said.

“It ��. really important for students to vote and make a decision for those who are going to be here after them,” Bragelman said. “It ��. 100 percent segregated fees going to the renovation. I think it ��. important to decide it now and take it seriously.”

Currently, students pay a segregated fee of $2.95 per credit or $88.50 per year on a 30-credit load for the Sports and Recreation Complex. Proposed increases include the current rate. Charges would appear on students’ semester bills with tuition and fees.

Options students will vote on include:

Option A: Recycle the unused pool area into a multiuse gymnasium and improve locker rooms, addressing such issues as shower quality, lack of privacy and gender neutral options and a shared space during events. This would add 6,800 square feet in recreational space and cost $6.85 million. The cost is $5.45 per credit in segregated fees or $163.50 on a 30-credit load, an increase of $75 per year over current fees.
Option B: Everything from Option A and include 20,000 square feet of new space dedicated to fitness including strength training, cardio and fitness studio. The athletic weight room would be relocated to the current fitness center, and the existing athletic weight room would be converted to a multiuse studio and/or classroom space. There would be a single entry point to the facility for greater security. Fitness Center member fees would be eliminated for �� students, and segregated fees would sustain the facility operations and capital improvements. Cost of the project is $16.3 million. Segregated fees for the project would be $9.20 per credit or $276 a year of a 30-credit load, an increase of $187.50 per year.
Option C: All of options A and B with an additional 20,000 square feet of new space for two second-floor multiuse courts, two studio gyms and a walking and jogging track. There would also be space dedicated to open recreation. Total cost is $25.5 million. Segregated fees would be $11.29 per credit or $338.50 per year on a 30-credit load, an increase of $250 per year.
Option D: No renovations or fee increases.

Segregated fees gradually would be increased until construction begins, at which point segregated fees would remain at maximum prices through bond repayment, which will vary based on the option.

After the advisory vote, the SSA, which has 31 members, is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in Ballroom A of the Memorial Student Center to discuss the results. Depending on the outcome and the split of the vote, the senate could decide at that point to vote on implementing additional segregated fees or not or continue the discussion at a future meeting, Bragelman said. The Board of Regents would still have to approve any project.

Mackenzie Stutzman, �� associate director of recreation, said the original portion of the Sports and Recreation Complex was built in 1964. In 1989 an addition included the Multipurpose Room, racquetball courts, locker rooms and athletics weight room. In 2001, Stout Adventures, West Gym and the health and fitness center were added. North Point Fitness on north campus was added in 2011.

“This is a chance for the student body to make their voices heard on what they would like the future of our facility to be,” Stutzman said. “The facilities shape the programming and opportunities the students will have. A renovation of this size is something that can enhance opportunities for open recreation, enhance opportunities for more diverse and inclusive programming and increase retention rates for �� in the years to come.”

If a project is approved by students, construction could start in 2023 with an opening roughly 18 months later.

The Multipurpose Room, racquetball courts, gymnasium and field space are free for students now. The fitness center has a student membership fee of $130 for an academic year. The Student Stout Adventures climbing wall membership fee is $60 for the academic year. The health and fitness center in 2017-18 had 1, 773 members with 48,880 total annual visits.

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Students exercise in the fitness center.

Mackenzie Stutzman

Sports & Recreation Complex

All Sports & Recreation Complex News

Stout breaks ground on transformative $32M project to enhance athletics, fitness facilities

Renovation, addition funded in part by record-breaking alumni gift

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majors

Women ��. and men ��. golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech playing and learning hub at ��.

Student association recommends $25.5 million rec renovation, addition

The Stout Student Association recently approved a resolution recommending adding recreational space to the university Sports and Recreation Complex that will in

University of Wisconsin-Stout students on Thursday, April 11, through Friday, April 12, will have the opportunity to decide if they support three potential reno rechero

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Hero Caption: Students work out in the Sports and Recreation Complex fitness center. An online student advisory referendum is planned April 11-12 on remodeling and renovations to see if there is support for more recreational space. /�� photos by Chris Cooper.

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