RHINELANDER, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — The Hodag Dome in Rhinelander has been inflated and is ready to serve the community.
WXPR Radio reports officials inflated the bubble over the field turf surface over the weekend, and only a few cosmetic touches remain before the facility reaches absolute completion.
“There’s been a lot of work going into this a lot of preparation and to see that it’s up and to see all the excitement in our community, especially during these times right now with COVID, any positive news is great news. I’m just excited for the community, our students, and our staff. This is real,” Rhinelander Activities Director Brian Paulson tells WXPR.
Finishing touches include netting, lights, and a donor sign. Those will be hung in the coming weeks.
In addition to hosting local and regional sporting events, the facility will be available for community events such as craft and trade shows. Paulson says that means the community should see a return on their investment.
“This is phenomenal for the community. The more tournaments or craft fairs or anybody that uses the dome keeps people here in Rhinelander. They don’t have to travel to go to such things and also for the tournament that’s people in our hotels, eating at our restaurants, stopping at the gas stations. It’s just incredible what this opportunity has to do there for the community.”
The facility is scheduled to serve as a polling place for voters in Rhinelander during the November 3rd Presidental Election.
The dome is one of the largest air-supported structures in North America. It came with a final price tag of around $8.3 million.
