The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation has announced commitments of cash and land totaling approximately $70 million from alumni John (’66) and Carolyn (’67) Sonnentag in support of the County Materials Complex.

To be located on the banks of the Chippewa River in Eau Claire, the development will replace Zorn Arena. First proposed in 2014, the multipurpose facility will include the Sonnentag Event Center and the John and Carolyn Sonnentag Field House, have the capacity to hold five thousand people, and house a center for health and well-being, facilities for the Blugold men’s and women’s basketball teams, athletic department offices, and a hundred-yard field house. In addition, Mayo Clinic Health System will construct a sports medicine and imaging clinic. Construction of the complex is slated to begin in spring 2022.

After graduating from UW-Eau Claire, John Sonnentag joined the family business, which at the time was named County Concrete Corp., where Carolyn later worked in the finance office. The company was renamed County Materials Corp. in 2003.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine that 100 percent of the philanthropy for a project would come from one donor,” said UW-Eau Claire Foundation president Kimera Way. “This has been a long and winding road over the past few years, but this incredible gift will improve the quality of life for all Blugolds and it will benefit Eau Claire and northwestern Wisconsin.”

(Photo credit: courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire)