UW-Whitewater Plans $89M Renovation of Winther and Heide Halls

The multi-year project aims to modernize classrooms, improve accessibility, and support teacher training programs.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:06pm

A vibrant, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated image of a university building in a grid of neon colors and bold black outlines, conceptually representing the upcoming renovation of Winther and Heide Halls.A bold, colorful celebration of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's $89 million investment in modernizing its Winther and Heide Halls, signaling a new era for the campus.Whitewater Today

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is embarking on a nearly $90 million renovation of its Winther Hall and Heide Hall, two aging academic buildings on the east side of campus. The project will replace outdated mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, transform traditional classrooms into flexible, technology-forward learning spaces, and improve accessibility with new elevators and ADA-compliant restrooms.

Why it matters

The Winther and Heide renovations are part of a broader push by the UW System to refresh mid-century campus buildings. As the university that licenses more teachers than any other school in Wisconsin, the project's impact on the College of Education and Professional Studies is significant, providing modernized facilities to support the training of future educators.

The details

The $89,065,000 project will be led by Somerville Architects + Engineers and Miron Construction. Winther Hall is slated for a full renovation, while Heide Hall will see roof and window replacements, as well as new elevators. Both buildings will get small additions to accommodate ADA-compliant features. The university plans to keep classes running during construction, which is scheduled to begin in April 2026 and be substantially complete by July 2028.

  • The public groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for April 17, 2026.
  • Construction is set to begin in April 2026.
  • The target for substantial completion is July 2028.

The players

Somerville Architects + Engineers

The architectural firm leading the Winther and Heide Hall renovation project.

Miron Construction

The construction company handling the building work for the renovation project.

Lana Collet-Klingenberg

The dean who described the current issues with Winther Hall, including weekly elevator breakdowns and other operational problems.

DLK Enterprises

A local supporter that contributed $250,000 toward the Winther Hall renovation last year.

Kachel family

Local supporters who contributed $250,000 toward the Winther Hall renovation last year.

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What’s next

The university has scheduled a public groundbreaking for April 17, 2026, and has invited community leaders and state officials to attend.

The takeaway

The Winther and Heide Hall renovations are a significant investment by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to modernize its campus and provide state-of-the-art facilities for its renowned teacher training programs, ensuring future educators are equipped to manage real-world classrooms.