Feature Story

July 2019

Fieldhouse Renovated, Expanded at UW-Platteville

By Deborah L. Vence

Students, faculty and staff now can enjoy the expanded and renovated Williams Fieldhouse at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Some of the upgrades to the fieldhouse include “55,925 square feet of new space and an additional 2,681 square feet of remodeled space” in order to “accommodate UW-Platteville’s increasing enrollment and support the university’s club sports, intramural sports, open recreation and varsity sports programs and the physical education department.”

Improvements to the fieldhouse include “the addition of three multipurpose athletic courts and related support spaces; expansion of the fitness center’s cardiovascular, weight training and exercise areas; a new athletic training suite for the 16-sport Pioneer athletic department; and office spaces. A ‘saw-tooth’ wall allows indirect natural light into the gymnasium, eliminating distracting glare on the courts, while also giving passersby on the major campus path outside views of the activity taking place inside.”

In addition, a new outdoor multi-use synthetic-turf athletic field with lighting was added.

“The fieldhouse expansion will benefit our entire student body, our faculty and staff and our community,” said Chancellor Dennis J. Shields. “I am a strong believer in a healthy body and healthy mind concept. This facility will enhance both the body and mind.”

The fieldhouse, built in 1961, was expanded in 1989 and again in 2010. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s enrollment has grown significantly since those renovations, up approximately 2,200 since 1989 and nearly 400 just since 2010.

Student segregated fees, as supported in a 2013 student body referendum, funded the project.

Kahler Slater was the architecture firm of record. The firm specializes in architecture, interior design, strategic advisory and environmental branding. The firm—which uses a performance-based design process that is grounded in research to ensure that it designs for change—has clients around the United States, Canada and Singapore. Kraemer Brothers was the general contractor for the project; other project partners included Ring & DuChateau (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, plumbing, fire protection), Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises (structural engineering), Rettler Corporation (civil and sports field design) and Professional Audio Designs Inc. (information technology/audiovisual design).