May 5, 2025

Rhinelander, WI — The School District of Rhinelander is pleased to share a positive update on the status of the Hodag Dome. Last week, the Dome was successfully re-inflated, and the repair process continues to move forward thanks to the incredible teamwork and dedication of many.

In the past several days, cables on the exterior of the Dome were adjusted, and patching of exterior holes was completed. The maintenance team is now focused on patching remaining holes on the inside of the Dome and expects that work to continue through next week. Additionally, lighting repairs are underway inside the facility, with more lighting to be installed on the tennis court side of the Dome to enhance visibility and safety.

While the Dome itself is progressing well, repairs to the tennis courts and track—both of which sustained damage—will need to occur at a later date but remain a high priority for completion as soon as possible.

A promising report from Arizon received this morning indicates that the Dome will be ready to host Rhinelander High School's graduation ceremony on June 1st. A final decision on the location of graduation will be made by the end of next week.

Superintendent Eric Burke expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have brought the Dome closer to full functionality:

“We are incredibly grateful to our School District of Rhinelander maintenance team, the Arizon team, CD Smith, and the City of Rhinelander for their hard work and continued support throughout this process. The progress we’ve made is a testament to the power of collaboration and community.”

Burke also extended his gratitude to the greater Rhinelander community for its ongoing patience and encouragement:

“Thank you to our community for your support and understanding as we work through this challenge. The Hodag Dome has become such an important resource to our school district and the broader community, and we are committed to restoring it to full use as quickly and safely as possible.”

Work is also ongoing to improve the Dome’s emergency power system. The district maintenance team is actively coordinating with insurance company engineers, as well as representatives from Trane and Wolter, to enhance the reliability of backup power in the event of an outage.

The School District of Rhinelander will continue to provide updates as work progresses and will announce the final graduation venue decision by the end of next week.

Rhinelander, WI — April 30, 2025

The School District of Rhinelander is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing repair efforts at the Hodag Dome. Favorable weather conditions, particularly calm winds, have allowed the repair crew to safely and efficiently remove a significant amount of water from the dome’s surface.  The District would like to thank CD Smith and the City of Rhinelander for their help in the removal of water over the past few days.

Efforts are continuing to remove the remaining water, with the goal of completing this phase in the coming days. While an exact timeline cannot be guaranteed, the team is working diligently in hopes of reinflating the dome during the first full week of May. This schedule may need to be adjusted based on changing weather conditions, including wind and rain.

Once the dome is reinflated, the focus will shift to repairing three known structural tears—located near the main support pole, a light fixture, and the northeast corner of the dome. After these areas are sealed and the structure is deemed sound, a full interior assessment will be conducted. The goal is to complete all repairs by the end of May.

The District is also working closely with its insurance provider to fully investigate the cause of the generator failure and to identify steps to prevent a similar issue in the future.

The School District of Rhinelander greatly appreciates the community’s continued patience and support throughout this process. We remain committed to ensuring the safe and timely reopening of the Hodag Dome.

April 16, 2025

Rhinelander, WI – Due to the Easter holiday, Arizon, the company overseeing repairs to the Hodag Dome, has adjusted their repair schedule. Materials and factory technicians are now scheduled to be dispatched Monday morning with arrival anticipated Monday evening.

On Tuesday, the Arizon crew will be on site with all necessary materials in hand. According to Arizon Vice President Tom Soehngen, “Our goal is still to have the dome inflated by the first week in May—weather permitting—and fully operational before graduation at the end of May.” The School District will have a back-up plan of using the Football stadium/gym if for some reason the Dome is not available for graduation.

The School District of Rhinelander continues to prioritize both safety and efficiency as the repair process moves forward. Pat Kegley, Head of Maintenance, is continuing efforts to determine why the generator failed to operate during the recent power outage. He is working diligently to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent any future failures of this nature.

The Hodag Dome is a vital asset to our students, staff, and the greater Rhinelander community. It serves as a year-round facility for athletics, events, educational programming, and wellness opportunities. The district remains committed to restoring the facility as quickly and safely as possible so that it can continue to support student development and community engagement.

The District will continue to provide updates as progress continues. We appreciate the community’s patience and support as we work toward reopening the Hodag Dome.

April 9, 2025

Rhinelander, WI — The School District of Rhinelander is pleased to share a positive update regarding the ongoing repair efforts at the Hodag Dome.

Today, Tom Soehngen, VP of Arizon — the company that manufactured and installed the Dome — visited the site to inspect the structure and assess the damage. Following his inspection, Mr. Soehngen met with District leadership and shared encouraging news: the damage to the Dome is less extensive than originally anticipated.

Arizon will have personnel on site beginning Thursday, April 17, to begin reconnecting the Dome's fabric to the building. If all goes as planned, the Dome will be re-inflated by early May.

Once the Dome is re-inflated, the District will be able to access and retrieve athletic equipment needed for spring sports. Arizon’s team will also be inspecting and completing necessary interior repairs, which will include fixing lighting and addressing any rips or tears within the structure. Additionally, the District plans to take this opportunity to add lighting to the tennis and pickle ball court area, enhancing the facility for future use.

If progress continues on schedule, the Hodag Dome is expected to be fully operational and ready for use by the end of May.

Superintendent Eric Burke shared, “We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and continued support as we work through this challenge. In just a few short years, the Hodag Dome has become an incredibly valuable resource for our students, our community, and the entire region. We’re excited to see it return to full operation soon.”

March 31, 2025

Rhinelander, WI – Early Sunday morning, the Hodag Dome experienced a power outage due to extreme weather conditions. Unfortunately, the Dome’s generator failed to provide backup power, leading to a partial deflation and structural tears. To prevent further damage, the Dome has been completely deflated for now.

The Dome manufacturer, Arizon, will be onsite as soon as possible to assess the situation and develop a timeline for repairs. The School District will provide updates as more information becomes available. Additionally, the District is actively investigating the generator’s failure despite regular maintenance and is working closely with its insurance provider regarding the incident.

Due to the Dome's temporary closure, the City Election site has been relocated to the Middle School gym for Tuesday, April 1st.

Student/Student Athlete Impact:

·  Students use the Dome daily for physical education classes, learning enrichment activities, and field trips.

·  Student athletes benefit from year-round training without weather disruptions, hosting clinics, tournaments, fundraisers, and games within the Dome.

Community Impact:

·  Nearly 250 community members rely on the Dome daily during winter months for activities such as walking, pickleball, tennis, and turf play with their families. With a membership fee of only $15 per year, the Dome offers an inclusive space for people of all ages and abilities.

·  The Dome provides social connections for many residents, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging.

·  The facility serves as a hub for key community events, including elections, graduations, family nights, expos, and local celebrations. The dedication of Janet Jamison, Janice Halverson, and the Hodag Dome staff has made the Dome a truly special resource.

·  Hosting over 18 large weekend tournaments annually, the Dome attracts thousands of visitors to Rhinelander. These events generate millions of dollars for the local economy, supporting hotels, restaurants, and businesses, especially in years where other tourism revenue sources, such as winter recreation, may be impacted.

The Hodag Dome has exceeded its original vision set forth by the Hodag Schools Foundation, Lee Swank, and the School District, becoming an invaluable resource for both students and the broader community.

Superintendent Eric Burke emphasized the importance of the Dome to Rhinelander, stating, “The vision for the Dome has been fully realized and beyond, as it has become such an important resource for our school and community. Together, we will get answers to our questions, have the Dome repaired, and get it up and running better than ever. The District is very thankful for the tremendous support as we work through this challenge.”

The District remains fully committed to assessing and repairing the damages as quickly as possible to restore this essential facility. We appreciate the patience and support of the community as we work to get the Hodag Dome operational again.