HOWARD, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Howard residents have something to look forward to in the next year.
The Village of Howard has brought in Miron Construction to start building the new, 17,000 square foot, Howard commons. The area will have an amphitheater, splashpads and a pavilion.
“I think it’d be a great addition to this area being that all the fun and activity things are normally down by Lambeau,” a Howard resident said.
Village administrator Paul Evert says the project will cost roughly $17 million. He says the money is coming from property tax revenues and naming rights purchases. The pavilion’s naming rights were sold for nearly $5 million to the owner of Bay Industries.
“This project really doesn’t happen today if it isn’t for the generosity of Dan Schmidt,” he said. “Dan isn’t here today but naming this — the pavilion — after his mother and father, Arnold and Gloria Schmidt, really gave us the ability to launch what we think is going to be a great project. So, special thanks to him.”
Burt McIntyre has been involved with the project over the 14 years of his tenure as Village President.
“It’s been a long time in the planning. There’s been a lot of people involved in this, and, now, we’re getting it down to where it’s going to become a reality.”
Village officials say the new Commons will be a reason for people to stay in Howard.
“We have opportunities coming with this facility that we don’t even know yet,” McIntyre said. “It’s just going to happen. People are going to be drawn to this place.”
“This will be kind of a heart and soul of our community as soon as it opens,” Evert said.
Village officials expect the project to be completed by Summer 2023.
