Case Study: Navigating Challenges During the Renovation of Goerke Park and the KB Willett Ice Arena in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

At Ramaker, we’re honored to work on projects that unite communities, especially when those projects support youth, collegiate, and public recreation. Our recent collaboration with the City of Stevens Point on the Goerke Park and KB Willett Ice Arena renovation demonstrates how thoughtful design can revitalize aging infrastructure, improve day-of experience for athletes and fans, and navigate the challenges of overlapping schedules and stakeholder needs.

A Community Hub Gets a Modern Upgrade

Goerke Park is a central recreation hub in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, featuring fields, courts, tracks, and stadium seating that support community activities and collegiate athletics. Community Stadium, located within Goerke Park, serves as home turf for the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP) football team and hosts high school games for Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) and Pacelli Catholic. Just next door, the KB Willett Ice Arena provides ice time for UWSP’s Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams, local clubs, and the public.

Although these facilities are owned and operated by the City of Stevens Point, they are used heavily by university and high school programs, creating a uniquely shared public/private space. Ramaker was brought on to help revitalize these aging facilities and improve the game-day experience for all users. The goals were simple, but complex in execution: enhance performance spaces, improve functionality, and provide a fresh, modern identity while managing costs and keeping facilities operational throughout construction.

Coordinating Multiple Stakeholders and Schedules

From public skate sessions to NCAA tournaments, these facilities support a wide array of programs and users. The athletic calendar never stops—and that meant phasing construction to accommodate everything from hockey season to spring football practice was essential.

We collaborated closely with stakeholders from UWSP, SPASH, Pacelli Catholic, and the City of Stevens Point to align construction milestones with practice and game-day schedules. In this multi-user space, flexibility and collaboration weren’t just nice to have—they were crucial.

Timeline and Phasing: Designing Around Live Events

Phasing became a core design tool. Working adjacent to an active athletic field and inside an arena used nearly year-round, our team had to carefully sequence each construction activity to ensure safe, continued use of the facilities.

This was further complicated by rising construction costs and unpredictable supply chain conditions at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Original designs were revised to maintain impact while adjusting to updated budgets, and the schedule was refined to accommodate bid timing and contractor availability. Even with these challenges, the project stayed on course—thanks to transparent communication, mutual trust, and the ability to adapt as conditions changed.

Design and Scope: A Full-Service, Future-Focused Approach

Ramaker provided architectural, structural, interiors, and MEP services for the renovation, helping breathe new life into the KB Willett Ice Arena and surrounding Goerke Park amenities.

The KB Willett Arena received a full public-facing recladding effort to address water infiltration and aging façades. A new rain screen system created a clean, modern exterior while improving building performance, offering what many users referred to as a much-needed “facility facelift.” Sometimes, small changes can make a big impact, especially when paired with intentional design that makes the facility feel “new” again.

The arena’s addition included:

• New game-day locker rooms for UWSP, SPASH, and Pacelli Catholic
• Renovated hockey locker rooms for UWSP teams
• A new training room and game-day trainers’ space
• Expanded office and storage space for the Parks & Recreation department
• Space for future locker room build-out

Goerke Park upgrades included:

• A new synthetic turf field
• An updated track for public and team use
• Installation of a brand-new game-day scoreboard and digital display
• Exterior recladding and press box weatherization (construction beginning soon)

Additional site amenities are in design and will continue to roll out over the next few years as part of a larger facility master plan.

The Goerke Park and KB Willett Ice Arena renovation project is a testament to the power of strategic design and stakeholder collaboration. From navigating scheduling challenges to making the most of budget realities, Ramaker’s full-service approach helped deliver spaces that better serve athletes, fans, and the entire Stevens Point community. By embracing flexibility, rethinking phasing as a design tool, and making impactful improvements both inside and out, we helped breathe new life into one of Stevens Point’s most beloved recreation hubs—ensuring it can support the next generation of athletes and community events for years to come.

At Ramaker, we specialize in transforming community spaces through thoughtful design, strategic planning, and multidisciplinary expertise. Whether it’s reimagining recreation facilities or tackling complex phased renovations, our team is ready to help bring your next project to life. Contact our architecture team today to start a discussion about the unique needs of your facility!