On Wednesday, July 9, the Town of Phelps officially broke ground on a new $5.5 million community center, a long-anticipated project that will provide a wide range of services and resources for residents and visitors.
According to supervisor Dave Selby, the 14,097-square-foot building will house the town offices, an expanded Eleanor Ellis Public Library — doubling its current size — the chamber of commerce, and a 3,000-square-foot event hall that can be divided into smaller rooms for training sessions and classes. A fully equipped warming kitchen will enhance the facility’s ability to host a wide variety of events.
The center will also feature state-of-the-art video conferencing capabilities and a dedicated fiber-optic internet connection offering up to 500 Mbps of streaming capacity.
Plans for the facility include virtual learning programs, telehealth services, and other community-focused initiatives.
The facility will be located behind the current town hall and library building on Town Hall Road.
The project has been in the works for over three years, guided by a seven-member citizen committee in collaboration with architect Steve Jamroz of Blue Design Group. Selby said funding the new facility was a big challenge.
In spring 2024, the team learned of the Flexible Facilities Grant Program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources. The Phelps board hired Robert E. Lee & Associates engineering firm to help write and submit the grant application, successfully communicating the future impact of the project. In October 2024, Governor Tony Evers’ office informed the town it had been awarded the maximum grant amount of $4.25 million.
While Selby said that “the grant award allowed Phelps to take the dream and make it a reality,” and noted that the town had also set aside a $375,000 reserve for a new town hall, additional financing is still needed.
To help offset the remaining costs, a fundraising campaign is now underway. Donors have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy by sponsoring parts of the building or making individual contributions. All donors will be recognized by name in a permanent display within the new facility.
For more information about donating, contact Mak Holcomb at 715-522-0535.
Following a competitive bidding process in May, the construction contract was awarded to Hoeft Construction of Altoona.
Construction is set to begin this month, with completion expected in June 2026.
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