Menasha, WI – The Menasha Joint School District is making steady progress on rebuilding Calder Stadium after the July tornado destroyed roughly half of the bleacher structure. District Supervisor of Facilities and Safety David Elliott said the first priority was to secure the site and remove all storm debris.
“Right after the tornado, we called in Miron to render the stadium safe, removing all the collapsed bleacher surfaces,” Elliott explained. “We’ve removed that, we’ve removed any storm debris, we’ve cordoned off the entire area construction zone that we’re going to be working in.”
Safety cleared, work underway
Project manager Ben Samolinski confirmed that the stadium is now structurally sound. “You can walk around, there’s really no threat of further damage or further building failure,” he said. “It is safe, so it’s not like you’re going to see the rest of the bleachers fall down. Everything is kind of structurally intact for now.”
Samolinski noted that the district is using the original 1963 plans to restore the stadium to its historic condition. “We have all the documentation, we have all the information. Just working on getting pricing together and ready to start rebuild,” he said.
Football practice returns
Even as reconstruction continues, the Bluejay football program was able to hold its first practice since the storm this past weekend. The practice took place on the field at Calder Stadium, easing the pressure on Maplewood Middle School’s field, which has been used by multiple programs since the damage.
“We hope to have all of our scope completed here soon so we can start working this fall with a target of making sure our kids are playing games next football season,” Elliott added, indicating that the district aims to have the stadium ready for the upcoming season.
Community support fuels the rebuild
Local support has been strong. Last month, the Green Bay Blizzard, a regional indoor football team, raised more than $15,000 to help fund the stadium repairs. That contribution, along with the district’s own budgeting efforts, is expected to keep the project on track.
The district’s transparent approach—clearing the site, confirming safety, and communicating a clear timeline—reflects its commitment to providing a safe, family‑friendly environment for youth athletics. Parents and community members have expressed relief that their children can soon return to a fully restored home field, reinforcing the importance of strong local schools and sports programs in building community spirit.
As the rebuild moves forward, officials will continue to update residents on progress and any upcoming milestones. The district encourages anyone interested in supporting the project to stay tuned for future announcements.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
