Editors note: Thank you to Vernon County Economic Development Coordinator Christina Dolhausen for providing much of this information.
VIROQUA, Wis.- The vision for a vibrant and connected community took a significant step forward as the Viroqua Welcome Center project proudly announces surpassing the $100,000 fundraising milestone. The project, centered around the restoration and repurposing of the historic WPA bathhouse building, aims to create a lasting legacy that celebrates the town’s rich heritage while fostering economic development and community engagement.
“At the heart of Viroqua’s future lies our commitment to preserving our past and building a thriving community,” said Cyndy Hubbard, Chair of the Viroqua Historic Preservation Commission. “Surpassing the $100,000 fundraising milestone brings us closer to realizing this vision, and we are immensely grateful for the generosity and support from individuals, businesses, and organizations who share in our mission.”
Through the renovation of the WPA building, the project aims to create a dynamic gathering space that will serve as a hub for residents and visitors alike.
Key features of the project:
- visitor and community information center
- meeting and community gathering space
- public restrooms
- trail head for outdoor recreation opportunities
In addition to reaching the $100,000 fundraising milestone, the project continues to seek individual and business pledges and donations. The ultimate goal is to secure $242,000 in community pledges and donations to qualify for the Community Development Initiative (CDI) grant of $250,000, emphasizing the urgency and importance of community support.
As the project progresses, organizers remain committed to transparency, accountability, and community involvement. For more information about the Viroqua Welcome Center project or to make a contribution, please visit www.viroquabathhousewelcomecenter.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What and who will this project serve? How does this plan benefit the community?Viroqua is the county seat of Wisconsin’s Vernon County. It is a growing tourist destination with no clearly visible visitor information center. The unique, historic bathhouse building, when renovated, will function as a community information center and it will welcome visitors to discover all that the area has to offer.
By providing community and visitors with more information about what’s here, local businesses and organizations will have increased visibility and a better chance of attracting those people to their shops, services, and other offerings.
Viroqua is also a central connection point for 50-plus multi-use recreational trails. The proposed community information center will also function as a trailhead and recreational information center for those who come here to hike, bike and explore a range of activities and attractions.
The 1936 limestone historic building with 16-inch outer walls and 12-inch inner walls will last decades, if not centuries, according to Preservation Architect, Marc Zettler, who evaluated the building in 2022. The restoration and creative use of the historic building, and the welcoming space and information services will speak volumes about the type of community we are.
Who owns the building?
The City of Viroqua owns the property.
Who is leading the project?
The Viroqua Historic Preservation Commission (VHPC) is in place to identify historic buildings and sites within the City of Viroqua, make recommendations regarding their significance to the community and facilitate opportunities to enhance public knowledge. The VHPC, in cooperation with the Viroqua City Council, formed a volunteer WPA Building Task Force to explore how to best address the future of the WPA Bathhouse Building.
How did the WPA Building Task Force come up with the repurposing plan?
Aaron Van Loo, a Architectural Technology student at WTC, contacted the VHPC in the fall of 2022 and made his capstone project, a renovation plan for the WPA Bathhouse Building, available to the commission. Aaron’s project design, complete with floorplan and computer images, showed the WPA Bathhouse renovated into a four-season building.
Christina Dollhausen and Karen Innis, members of the WPA Building Task Force, conducted surveys of community members in the spring of 2023 to determine how the building could best serve the community. The results were that there was a need for accessible public restrooms, a visitor and community information center, a Bike Trailhead, and a space that could accommodate small public or private events.
Mike Adler of River Architects of La Crosse was then asked to visit the site. Based on the survey results, he provided plans, a cost estimate, and the computer images that are on the website. Aaron Parker, architect and member of the WPA Building Task Force, made some additions to Mike’s floorplan, which is shown below.
What is the WPA? (Works Progress Administration)
The WPA is the most famous of the post-depression era work-relief programs implemented by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. It employed more than 8.5 million skilled and unskilled people in projects across the country—many of which were public works such as creating parks and building roads, bridges, schools and other public structures. Viroqua’s Bathhouse was built by local WPA workers from limestone quarried just outside of Viroqua. We would love to hear from local families whose present or previous generations took part in this building’s history.
Why not rebuild a swimming pool?The pool was closed in 2004. A portion of the shallow end of the pool and the land north of the pool was sold to the Eagles Club in 2009. The entire pool area was filled in in 2015. Rebuilding the pool is no longer an option.
This project is focused on restoring and repurposing the existing historic building to best serve the community. (Those seeking a pool should check out the Bigley Pool, located adjacent to the Viroqua Middle School. It provides the community with a number of classes and aquatic activities.)
How about a splash pad?
This project is focused on restoring and repurposing this existing historic building to best serve the community. A splash pad, gardens with a fountain, paths with picnic tables and benches, an amphitheater—all are possibilities for the future.
What about the Community Garden?
The Community Garden is a program developed by the McIntosh Memorial Library in partner with several organizations to provide educational experiences for children and benefits for local elders. This program is supported by grant funding and may continue to grow. We look forward to working in concert with the library to support preexisting and future programs to better serve the community.
How much will it cost to restore and repurpose the building? When will renovation work begin?
We estimate that $730,000 would cover the projected cost to restore and repurpose the building for year-round use, including furnishings, technology, programming and service needs. The City of Viroqua has allocated $238,500 for the project; the WPA Building Task Force will apply for a Community Development Investment (CDI) grant, requiring another $242,000 in local matching funds to be eligible for an award of $250,000; and we continue to seek grants and gather pledges or donations from individuals, businesses and organizations to reach the overall goal. The Task Force would like to see construction begin in 2024.
How much money is already raised toward the project?
The City of Viroqua has allocated $238,500 for the project. WPA Building Task Force members and other individuals have already made pledges or donations toward our goal. See Fundraising Update for more information.
How can I get involved?
SPREAD THE WORD – Tell everyone you know what you have learned about this project and keep checking the website for updates. If you hear a rumor, don’t let it spread—check facts with a Task Force Member and send others to the website, too.
DONATE or MAKE A PLEDGE – Make your individual tax-deductible donations or 3-year pledges of any amount toward the $242,000 goal to fulfill the project vision.
VOLUNTEER – There will be many opportunities to participate in the project, so let us know how to reach you and what you like to do.
SHARE YOUR STORY – We would love to hear why you are excited about this project and from all whose present or previous generations took part in this building’s history. Tell us your stories! Share photos and artwork (link to download stories/images) to share with us as we bring the building back to life!
The members of the project task force are:
Aaron Aslin- Fundraising and Communication Manager
Christina Dolhausen – Vernon County Economic Development
and Tourism Coordinator
Jean Driscoll – community advocate
Cyndy Hubbard – Sixth Ward Viroqua Alderperson, Park & Rec Committee member, VHPC member
Karen Innis – realtor, VHPC member
Ariana Langdon – community advocate
Randy Skinner –VHPC member, community advocate
Steve Willis – Ninth Ward Viroqua Alderperson, Park & Rec Committee member
Sue Noble – unofficial advisor to the group
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