The staff of Peace Lutheran Ministries has plenty to smile about these days, but they've go nothing on the youngsters who are enjoying new, revamped and expanded places to play inside and out. Celebrate with them at the official dedication of the completed project on Sunday, October 31, 2021.

Join Peace Lutheran Sunday to Salute a Successful Expansion Project

October 29, 2021

The public is invited to celebrate with Peace Lutheran Ministries of Antigo on Sunday for the dedication of the brand new 16,710-square-foot expansion project.

The dedication will take place at 11:30 a.m. outside of the new building in the 300 block of Lincoln Street.

The expansion includes six new child care rooms, designed to accommodate as many as 125 children from infants through elementary age, including Peace’s before and after school care programs. The new spaces also include a 4K room for the two Peace half-day 4K classes, and the 5-year-old kindergarten room for the 25 children enrolled.

In addition to the classrooms, a new main office for the church, school and child care has been constructed with increased visibility and security. This fresh administrative hub includes a health room for the students along with financial, school administration, child care administration, pastoral offices and a child care staff room.

The main entrance for the school and child care learning center now faces east on Lincoln Street and includes the addition of several new parking spaces for drop-off and pick-up.

As part of the project, a new heating and air conditioning system was installed in the 1961 addition to the building, replacing the existing system that had been in place for 60 years.

Peace has also added an infant playground and relocated and expanded the early childhood and elementary playgrounds, thanks to the good fortune of being able to purchase, relocate and refurbish some of the equipment from the former Spring Valley Elementary School.

The total project was completed at a cost of $4.3 million. Wausau-based Samuels Group served as the general contractor, and architectural work was provided by the Groth Design Group from Cedarburg. More than $2.3 million has been given and pledged to the project, with the balance being financed through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Contributors to the project include the many members and families of Peace Lutheran Church as well as support from the Antigo Community and area businesses and foundations.

After a lengthy construction process, Peace Lutheran Pastor Dave Karolus exhibits genuine enthusiasm for the impact the new facility will have on the community.

“This ministry expansion will help Peace Lutheran Ministries continue to carry out it’s 137-year mission to nurture and educate families in our community, beginning with children, so that they live abundant lives in Christ.” he said.