Plover Whiting youth sports complex break ground on new pavilion

PLOVER, Wis. (WSAW) – The Woyak Sports Complex in Plover is expected to get some big upgrades throughout the next year. Ones that plan to make fans a little more comfortable.

The plan is to build a two-story building overlooking the fields for fans to take cover from the rain or sunshine. More importantly, it’ll be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Over 1,200 kids come through Plover Whiting Youth Athletics annually to participate in events such as baseball, softball, and flag football.

The new addition of the McCain Foods Hall of Fame Pavilion will give families the chance to feel more comfortable attending their child’s, or grandchild’s, sporting events. Whether that be in the sweltering heat, the drizzling rain, or just sitting up in the stands.

Ellis Construction Executive Vice President Andrew Halverson said, “More importantly, it’ll provide fully handicap-accessible viewing of two different fields for various sporting events on any given day when these fields are underway.”

The name of the pavilion came to be after McCain Foods donated $100,000.

Along with their donation are over 100 other donors. The total project, which includes the pavilion and other upgrades to the batting cages and dugouts, is estimated to be around $1.3 million.

“Plover’s a great community and we’re somewhere we don’t have the population for very large budgets, but we have a lot of great people that are very involved,” Plover Whiting Youth Athletics Executive Board member Chris Brooks said. “With that you have the ability to do some fundraising because they are involved in those projects and they’re a little near and dear to the heart.”

All donors will also have their names as part of the park. Each one bought bricks or other items with their names on them that will go in the new courtyard.

“There will be an in-stone baseball and softball-looking field that they will be able to see their family names for generations to come,” Brooks said.

The community’s pride in its strong youth athletics program is evident.

“Anywhere you walk in the Plover area, you’re going to see a Plover Whiting Youth Athletics shirt, you’re going to see some sort of PWYA apparel and I just think that speaks to the volumes to just how many youth are impacted every year from or through Plover Whiting Youth Athletics,” Plover Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Malorie Paine said.

Construction is just beginning on the new pavilion, but Ellis Construction and the PWYA say you can expect the new building to be open by next May.

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