Groundbreaking for Winther, Heide halls set for April 17
February 25, 2026
Written by Kristine Zaballos | Rendering submitted
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will officially break ground on the renovation of Winther and Heide halls, marking the official beginning of an almost $90 million renovation of the two 1960s-era buildings on the east side of campus.
The groundbreaking celebration will take place beginning at noon on Friday, April 17, 2026, outside of Winther Hall. Guided tours of the building and appetizers will be available between noon and 12:30 p.m, with the groundbreaking ceremony and remarks to begin at 12:30. Opportunities for networking and taking photos will follow the ceremony at 1 p.m.
The event — which features the theme Growing Minds, Building Futures — capitalizes on the annual spring meeting of the UW-Whitewater Foundation board of directors on campus and is open to all, including state and local elected representatives, civic leaders and other business and community members. Those who plan to attend are asked to register by April 10.
Register for the Winther/Heide Groundbreaking
Free parking is available in lots 12 and 14, adjacent to the building.
Funds for the project — with a final budget just over $89 million — were approved as part of a capital budget bill by the state legislature on Feb. 22, 2024, and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers on March 6 of that year. The bulk of the funding will go toward a complete renovation of Winther Hall, home to the College of Education and Professional Studies.
Renderings of the planned renovation of Winther Hall include student study areas, open labs and lecture halls that contain updated technology to support modern teaching methods. That teaching in turn addresses a crucial workforce need in the state and the region, as UW-Whitewater licenses the most teachers in Wisconsin through its teacher education programs.
Construction is slated to begin in May 2026, with classes expected to resume in the building in spring 2029.
Classes will continue to be held during the renovation of nearby Heide Hall, which will receive roof and window replacements and new elevators as part of the project. Green Bay-based Somerville Architects + Engineers is the architect for both projects and Miron Construction is the contractor.
This page will be updated with program details, including the list of speakers.
Questions about the groundbreaking event or the project can be directed to cainen@uww.edu.
Register for the Winther/Heide Groundbreaking
