UW-Whitewater is gearing up for a nearly $90 million makeover of two of its most tired academic workhorses, a sweeping project university officials say will finally bring teacher-training spaces and accessibility into the 21st century. The multi-year renovation of Winther Hall and Heide Hall on the east side of campus will add new labs, refreshed lecture halls and better ways to move between floors, all while the university tries to keep classes running through the construction dust.
What The Overhaul Covers
Winther Hall is slated for a top-to-bottom renovation that will replace mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems and recast traditional classrooms as flexible, technology-forward learning spaces, according to UW-Whitewater. Heide Hall is in line for roof and window replacements and new elevators rather than a full gut job. Both buildings will get small new entry additions that bring in ADA-compliant restrooms and backup options for vertical circulation. Somerville Architects + Engineers is listed as the architect on the project, with Miron Construction handling the building work.
The Price Tag And Timeline
University planning documents put the Winther and Heide work at $89,065,000, with roughly $64.9 million earmarked for construction and another $11.3 million set aside as contingency to absorb rising costs, according to UW-Whitewater. The same profile lists an April 2026 construction start and a target for substantial completion in July 2028, with the focus on bringing the 1960s-era buildings up to current code and accessibility standards. Funding is shown as general fund supported borrowing in the university’s planning materials.
Accessibility Headaches Finally Get Attention
For years, students and staff have complained about elevator failures and tight corridors that can turn a simple class change into an obstacle course for anyone with mobility needs. “I don’t think I’ve talked to anybody who has said I’m really going to miss Winther Hall the way it is now,” Dean Lana Collet‑Klingenberg said, describing weekly elevator breakdowns and other nagging operational problems, according to WIFR. Students told reporters that modernized classrooms and flexible furniture will matter for future teachers who are learning how to manage real-world classrooms, not just sit in them.
Groundbreaking Plans And Local Backing
The university has scheduled a public groundbreaking for April 17 and has invited community leaders and state officials to join the ceremonial shovel line, according to UW-Whitewater. Local supporters are already in the mix. DLK Enterprises and the Kachel family chipped in $250,000 toward Winther Hall last year, according to reporting by the Whitewater Banner. University leaders caution that with construction costs still climbing, the final budget could force tweaks to what ultimately gets built.
How This Fits Into The Bigger Picture
The Winther and Heide work is part of a broader push to refresh mid‑century campus buildings across the UW System and is funded through state-backed borrowing approved in recent capital budgets, according to UW-Whitewater. The stakes are not just cosmetic. UW‑Whitewater’s College of Education and Professional Studies licenses more teachers than any other school in Wisconsin, a point planners say underscores the project’s workforce impact. The Milwaukee Business Journal highlighted the renovation on April 7, 2026, recapping the university’s announcement and the long runway leading up to completion.
