Star Journal

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Local
    • News
    • Business
    • Schools
    • Law & Order
    • Arts & Ent
    • Wedding Planner
    • Viewpoint
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Outdoors
  • Wellness
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Our Legals
    • Legal Ads
    • Statewide
  • Obits
  • Lake View
  • Northwoods NOW
  • Living On The Lake
  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe

logo

Star Journal

  • Local
    • News
    • Business
    • Schools
    • Law & Order
    • Arts & Ent
    • Wedding Planner
    • Viewpoint
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Outdoors
  • Wellness
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Our Legals
    • Legal Ads
    • Statewide
  • Obits
  • Lake View
  • Northwoods NOW
  • Living On The Lake
Schools
Home›Local›Schools›Hodag Schools Foundation, school administrators approve $500,000 donation for indoor sports facility

Hodag Schools Foundation, school administrators approve $500,000 donation for indoor sports facility

By StarJournal
January 21, 2019
2892
0
Share:

 

Star Journal Report

The School District of Rhinelander Board of Education approved an agreement that was announced in December with Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) and Dr. Lee Swank Monday night that will direct Swank’s $500,000 pledge toward indoor activity facility improvements. Swank told the school board that he feels “very fortunate to be in a position where I can do something positive for the school and the community.”

Multiple facility options are being explored as HSF and the school district administration review potential upgrades that will best accommodate year-round needs, as well as what other donations HSF might facilitate to help in the improvements.

“With Rhinelander’s unpredictable spring weather, an indoor facility here would help teams get off to a great start,” Swank said.”In addition, this kind of facility could be an asset to the community, helping draw new families to the area and providing a space for senior citizens and the community to use year-round due to the inclement weather during the winter.”

Dr. Swank, a long-time physician at Ascension, and his wife Judy moved to Rhinelander in the 1980’s. Small town values and outdoor living were priorities in the move.

“We looked at many places in Wisconsin, in the southern and central part of the state, but my wife kept saying we had to have a place up north,” Swank noted. “We were familiar with the community. We were familiar with all the communities around the area, but because of what Rhinelander had to offer, we chose Rhinelander.”

He is an avid outdoor enthusiast known for biking, skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. However, his passion to make this donation did not come from what he saw outdoors, but what he did not see indoors.

“I’ve always felt that the most important thing we can do is educate our kids, and I was concerned by the fact that the kids did not have a place to do spring activities,” Swank said. “I read in the paper that the kids were practicing in the hallways, the gym, and classrooms due to the short spring. I know that other communities in the area have indoor facilities; I thought that Rhinelander should have one too.”

HSF president Dave Heck said the organization is appreciative of the Swank family and their donation and all the foundation’s donors.

“It provides options for year-round activities, which are often limited by the weather in northern Wisconsin,” Heck said. “There have been so many disruptions for fall, winter and spring activities, [such as] field problems, students practicing until late at night, which affects grades and family life, all due to lack of space and year round facilities. We have had interest from other donors to help, our goal is to work the School District on options and raise more money to be able to help provide options for year-round multi-purpose space.”

 

TagsDr. Lee SwankHodag Schools FoundationSchool District of Rhinelander
Previous Article

Rhinelander teacher receives grant

Next Article

Rhinelander school board approves $2.9 million for ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • LocalNewsSchools

    Rhinelander cancels all after school activities for Feb. 2

    February 2, 2016
    By StarJournal
  • NewsSchools

    Down to the wire

    February 12, 2016
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsSchools

    Teacher training grants available to eligible districts

    March 3, 2016
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsSchools

    After school program travels to Wausau

    May 23, 2016
    By StarJournal
  • Latest NewsSchools

    Rhinelander school board committee recommends change in purchasing policy

    July 15, 2016
    By StarJournal
  • NewsSchools

    Jump into adventure, become a “Guest Teacher”

    July 24, 2016
    By StarJournal

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Star Journal is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

  • Contact Us
  • Hodag Star Journal E-Edition
  • Subscribe
Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×