A new building has been erected at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. According to Fair Association director Dale Norenberg, the new building called the Legion Pavilion will replace the Beaver Dam American Legion “Beer Tent.”
Pictured above in front of the completed building are Sharon Keil, Fair Association co-secretary/treasurer; Jim Guenther, builder of the pavilion; Ted Grob, donor; Nate Zank and Dan Wegener of Wegener Electric and Plumbing; Mary Hanefeld, Fair Association co-secretary/treasurer.
Norenberg said that the cost of erecting the permanent structure was approximately $30,000. In previous years Legion Post 146 sold alcohol as a fundraiser during the fair in what was known as the beer tent. However, the group had been hoping to erect a permanent structure at the fairgrounds as they have had issues in the past with winds leveling the tent.
Funds to build the new Legion Pavilion were donated by Ted Grob, the adopted son of the late Howard and Helen Roggenbauer. Norenberg said that Roggenbauer was a disabled American veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a medic in World War II. Roggenbauer died in 2010, and at that time Beaver Dam Legion Post 146 organized a formal funeral with military honors. In Roggenbauer’s will there were funds set aside for local donations. After his passing, wife Helen and son Ted decided it would be best to donate them to the Legion. Grob contacted the Legion and group members said that they would love to erect a permanent structure at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. Norenberg said, “This permanent building has lights and outlets. They will be able to hang signs from the ceiling. It is just so much nicer.”
The Legion Pavilion will provide shade and an additional rest area on the west side of the grounds
Construction of the new building began in late June and was completed just a few weeks ago, according to Norenberg. The building will be open for this year’s fair which begins Aug. 19 and runs through Aug. 23. Currently the building has a grass floor but the Fair Association is still in the process of deciding what type of flooring is most appropriate for the building.
Norenberg said that while this donation will greatly benefit the Legion, it will also benefit the fairgrounds. “The fairgrounds are primarily funded through ticket sales,” Norenberg said. Though the fairgrounds do get a small amount of county aid each year, the bulk of the expenses are covered by fair ticket prices.
“Having buildings donated really helps improve the fairgrounds for everyone to enjoy,” Norenberg said.
Story by Bobbye Pyke of the Daily Citizen
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