Sturgeon Bay School District Superintendent Dan Tjernagel cannot wait to see the new athletics facility come to life, but he understands that good things come to those who wait.

In recent weeks, the school district and the city of Sturgeon Bay approved the master plan for the Sturgeon Bay Athletic Complex, which would overhaul the site’s baseball, softball, football, soccer and other facilities.

Rather than relying on a capital referendum or operating funds from the Sturgeon Bay School District for the estimated $14.7 million project, Sturgeon Bay City Administrator Josh Van Lieshout said last week that a combination of tax increment district revenues, grants and private donations will support the project. Tjernagel said that piece was important to the district and the taxpayers it serves.

The city and school district will work together to formalize an intergovernmental agreement in the coming months so engineering work can begin later this year. Construction could start in 2027 or 2028.