| Additional Information: | Clearing of the parcel began in 1967, datestone laid in 1968 but not completed until opening for the Fall 1970 school year.
2018 survey report write-up: Comprised of four distinct sections, this three-story, 1960s Contemporary Style, flat-roofed educational facility is constructed of reinforced concrete and faced with brick. At the far left is the single-story auditorium and music department which can be accessed separately but which is also connected to the three-story academic unit. Behind the academic unit is the single-story, shop/industrial arts wing. The main entrance to the greater building is accessed via a two-story wing that connects to the rectangular fieldhouse block on the east.
Designed by Emil Korenic of the Madison firm of John J. Flad & Associates, Wausau West High School opened for classes in Fall 1970. Until that time, Wausau had just one high school. Planning for the multi-unit (and up to) three-story facility began in 1967. In March 1968, voters approved the referendum on the bond issue and ground breaking was held in September of that year. With the first three units of the building complete, classes began on 8 September 1970, although not all equipment was installed in the school, nor were all interior finishes complete. Features unique to the facility include the construction of a planetarium (with seating for 75) and a fieldhouse complete with artificial turf and a 1/11th-mile track. The auditorium and music wing at the far west was completed in May 1971 and formal dedication occurred at the end of August that year. The final cost of the complex was $6,479,248. The building continues to serve high school students living on Wausau’s west side.
2023 - Construction of a large-scale improvement project underway at time of survey. Project includes the following
•An addition to the front, southwest corner of the building for a new main entrance and main office.
•An auditorium addition across the west elevation.
•Locker room and weight/fitness room addition on the north elevation.
•Fieldhouse addition at the front, southeast corner of the building.
•Interior reconfiguration and buildout to create new spaces, including a robotics lab, school store, commons expansion, and bathroom additions.
•Interior renovations throughout, including in classrooms, bathrooms, the auditorium, the music wing, the kitchen and commons, and the library.
•New interior finishes throughout, including flooring, walls, ceilings, and doors.
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| Bibliographic References: | "Inside work has begun at New Wausau West High School," photo and caption, Wausau Daily Herald, 13 November 1969, page 3.
Citations for the 2018 report information below: Jim Lee, “Architect Reports Readying West High for Fall Term Will Be ‘Touch and Go’,” Wausau Daily Record-Herald, 14 July 1970, 3/1-5, includes photo; Jim Lee, “Wausau West High to be Ready Sept. 8,” Wausau Daily Record-Herald, 11 August 1970, 3/bottom; Lynn Kordus, “Sunday Afternoon Wausau West Will be Dedicated,” Wausau Daily Record-Herald, 28 August 1971, 7. |
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