Page 13 - November Newsletter (2)_Neat

LOCAL HAPPENINGS

Community Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Major Milestone in
Supporting Families and Workforce in Sauk Prairie – Village of Prairie du Sac, WI

The Village of Prairie du Sac, in partnership with the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sauk Prairie School
District, is thrilled to announce that we officially broke ground to further enhance local resources and strengthen the
fabric of our community. On October 17th, 2024, at 1:00 PM, in Culver Community Park, many business leaders, state
representatives and local officials gathered to celebrate this exciting step forward.

We celebrated two critical developments: the construction of a new early learning childcare center and the completion of
Phase II of Culver Community Park. These projects represent a significant investment in the well-being of local families,
workers, and businesses, offering solutions to long-standing challenges in both childcare accessibility and recreational
amenities.

Culver Community Park:
A 67-acre park focused on both active and passive recreation for all ages and abilities, has been a beloved project in the
making for many years. Inspired by the vision of local resident Marietta Reuter and supported by the generosity of the
Culver family and numerous community donors, the park opened Phase I in 2021. It has since become a cherished space
for community gathering and recreation, and we were thrilled to announce that Phase II will become a reality, as building
of four turfed fields – two lit and the capacity to serve 5 – 17U teams, an all-inclusive playground, concession & restroom
facility, and connectivity to park amenities with additional walking trails. This investment positions Sauk Prairie to be a
destination for sports tourism activities, and already, we have booked our 2025 fall schedule with teams competing from
throughout the mid-west. This investment will bring visitors to our community, increasing hotel stays and door swings to
local businesses.

Addressing the Childcare Crisis:
While workforce housing has long been a focus of local leaders, a 2022 community survey revealed an even more urgent
need: affordable childcare. Families reported that the rising cost and scarcity of childcare options were significant barriers
to their economic well-being. In response, the Village, Chamber, and School District launched a comprehensive study to
understand the full scope of the problem. Today, the results of this 18-month effort are clear: a state-of-the-art childcare
center will soon rise in Prairie du Sac, offering 168 new slots for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. This project
represents a critical public-private partnership that will not only support working families but also boost local workforce
recruitment and retention.

Partnership and Progress:
"This groundbreaking represents much more than just the start of a building. It’s the culmination of nearly three years of
collaborative work by dedicated community leaders and organizations," said Alan Wildman, Village Administrator. "From
the vision of our Chamber to the commitment of the Sauk Prairie School District, this project will be a cornerstone of our
community for generations to come."

“By investing in our youngest residents and providing families with affordable, high-quality childcare, we are investing in
the future success of Sauk Prairie," Superintendent Jeff Wright said.

Looking to the Future:
With the completion of Phase II, Culver Community Park will also become a regional destination for sports tourism,
featuring four new turf fields for baseball and softball, playgrounds, and expanded amenities that will attract visitors and
drive local economic growth. "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Craig Culver, Lea Culver, Culver Franchising
System, Inc., and the forty-seven local businesses and individuals who believed in this project," said Tywana German,
Executive Director of the Sauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce. "Thanks to them, our community is taking bold steps
to create a brighter future for everyone.