Wisconsin officials have opened bidding for two significant state construction projects scheduled to move forward this month, marking fresh activity under the 2025–27 capital budget. The state is seeking general contractors for a major overhaul of the Recreation Complex at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and for two new additions to the Department of Health Services’ (DHS) food service building in Madison.
According to the Wisconsin Project Center, estimated general contractor bid costs are more than $23.7 million for the UW-Stout project and over $33.6 million for the DHS facility expansion. Both bids were released in late October, with UW-Stout’s bid window closing Dec. 17 and DHS following one day earlier on Dec. 16.
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The two projects were formally authorized by the State Building Commission, which also recently approved $15 million in planning funds for upgrades at Department of Corrections facilities and multiple state agency structures. These approvals reflect ongoing investment in higher-education facilities, health service infrastructure, and aging state buildings.
The UW-Stout project aims to transform a 1960s-era recreation center into a modern fitness and wellness hub that serves both students and athletic programs. A decommissioned pool will be converted into a multi-purpose gym and improved training spaces to bring the facility up to par with peer institutions.
Construction could begin in 2026 and wrap up in 2027, according to Justin Utpadel, UW-Stout senior facilities officer. The renovation effort also gained momentum after alumni Dallas and Edye Pankowski contributed a $5 million private gift this fall, bringing total private support for the project to $7.3 million.
The project includes 11,750 square feet of new construction and 27,658 square feet of renovated space, along with upgrades such as new exercise studios, a welcome desk, locker rooms for athletes and visitors, and a laundry area. An outdoor seating plaza and fitness patio will enhance the west entrance, and a new mechanical penthouse will support the addition.
Interior systems will receive extensive updates, including asbestos abatement, new telecom rooms, a fire alarm and smoke detection infrastructure overhaul, and an automatic sprinkler system for the addition.
The second project focuses on improving the Central Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disabled in Madison, which serves more than 200 patients and staff. The DHS food service building, originally constructed in 1960, will undergo a major renovation supported by two new additions totaling around 9,800 square feet within an overall project footprint of 47,000 square feet.
DHS requested authority for the project at an estimated cost exceeding $44.6 million, according to state records.
The new south addition will house a production kitchen and a lower level with a below-grade loading dock, while the north addition will improve circulation between the staff entrance and lower-level locker rooms. Importantly, meal preparation will continue uninterrupted in the new addition as the original structure is renovated.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are slated for full replacement. Abandoned built-in coolers and freezers will be removed to create additional storage, and the building envelope will undergo necessary repairs to extend the facility’s lifespan.
These projects highlight Wisconsin’s broader strategy to modernize state-owned facilities that have reached or exceeded their useful life. Both the UW-Stout and DHS buildings—constructed in the 1960s—reflect statewide trends where aging infrastructure now requires significant investment to maintain service levels.
For UW-Stout students, faculty, and athletes, the redesigned recreation complex is expected to become a central hub for wellness, competition, and campus community life. University leaders have emphasized that new strength training areas and multi-purpose spaces are essential for aligning student athletic amenities with national standards.
The DHS food service project, meanwhile, underscores the state's commitment to improving care environments for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. By upgrading kitchen operations and improving staff facilities, DHS aims to boost service efficiency, enhance safety, and better support long-term patient care.
Both projects are also expected to generate substantial construction activity over the next several years, offering opportunities for general contractors, specialty subcontractors, and suppliers across the region. With bids closing in mid-December, awarded contractors could be mobilizing by 2026, depending on procurement and final design stages.
Originally reported by Ethan Duran in The Daily Reporter.
