Lodge Remodel Completed this Winter
Marshfield, WI (OnFocus) The Marshfield School Forest lodge remodel is officially complete.
The snowshoe and fat tire bike race for the Badger State Games over the weekend marked the public debut of the new look on Feb. 15. The lodge was closed for use while remodeling took place from December to February.
The lodge now features a modernized kitchen, classroom, and overnight rooms, plus a handicap accessible bathroom.
“I think it looks awesome,” said Mark Zee, School Forest Director. “I think it’s a great addition to our community and the school district, and for people to use to be able to rent it for different activities and to accommodate overnight stays if needed.”
Although not a part of the remodeling project, the entire fireplace needed to be replaced after being vandalized by an explosive device last August. Additionally, the lodge now has a Smart TV to be used for projections. There are also plans to set up basic Wi-Fi, Zee said.
A few doors and fixtures will be installed yet this week before the first school group to visit the remodeled lodge arrives this Friday from Nasonville Elementary. They’ll complete a GPS scavenger hunt, and go cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
The work to construct the lodge was undertaken in 1958 mostly by high school students who worked diligently to put the roof up before the first snowfall. The building was completed in spring and dedicated in the fall of 1959.
During that time Principal Russell Knapp, a stone mason, was assisted by students Dave Larson and Darwin Craft to lay stone for the fireplace. Larson is the father of construction manager Brad Larson of Don Nikolai Construction, which undertook the remodeling project.
The lodge is open weekends from 10-4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. depending on weather conditions and availability of volunteers. It is also open most weekdays for school functions exclusively.
Over 6 miles of snow bike and snowshoe trails, plus over 7 miles of ski trails, are open daily to the public from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. starting mid-December. A daily trail pass is $5 for adults, $2 for youth ages 14-18, and free for children under 14. The trails are groomed and maintained by the nonprofit Marshfield Area Ski Touring Foundation (MASTF).
Visitors are asked not to use the trail system when students are present for school functions.
Marshfield School Forest Fireplace Damaged by Explosive Device
Author: News Desk
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