Dome expected to be open in September

Star Journal Staff

Culver’s of Rhinelander owners Josh and Jen Clark have pledged $25,000 to the Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) in support of the Hodag sports complex.

“We were both involved in athletics, and we feel strongly about the values that sports and extra-curricular activities bring to kids in our community,” said Josh.  “Rhinelander is our home.  We have two boys, Connor and Cooper, who will grow up with the advantage of having a dome complex to be active all year and hopefully be better students, athletes, and well-rounded people because of this new facility.

The Clarks said the facility will also help grow the Northwoods by being an attraction that will lead to more families moving to Rhinelander. The Clarks own and operate 11 Culver’s restaurants in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Florida in addition to the Rhinelander store, employing more than 550 people.

HSF has raised more than $1.65 million in private donations for the project. The Rhinelander school board voted in June to use up to $5.7 million from the district’s fund balance to pay for the facility which will include a multi-use air-support dome structure, a baseball  field and two softball fields, additional parking and other features. HSF president David Heck said in a press release that the organization hopes to have three more new donations from businesses in the next month and news from two existing donations before the fundraising effort concludes.

“It is great to have local business step up to support this project,” said HSF board member Brian Gaber.  “We at HSF are delighted that Culver’s has invested in Rhinelander’s future education.”

SDR Board member Ann Munninghoff Eshelman echoed that sentiment.

“I am very happy and proud to see the Rhinelander community support its schools with such unprecedented generosity,” Eshelman said. “Heartfelt thanks to Culvers, as well as all the other dedicated community members and organizations.”

The Clarks own and operate 11 Culver’s restaurants in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Florida in addition to the Rhinelander store, employing more than 550 people. Clark Business Solutions has three Rhinelander based employees that provide accounting services to Culver’s restaurants locally and throughout the country.

HSF president David Heck said in a press release that the organization hopes to have three more new donations from businesses in the next month and news from two existing donations before the fundraising effort concludes.