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- July 20, 2023
July 20, 2023
Administration
Sun Prairie City Hall Facility-wide LED Lighting & Acoustical Ceiling Tile Upgrade Final Report
In 2019 the city had budgeted for an LED conversion project at city hall, however due to disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting funding priorities, staff bandwidth, and technical expertise the project had not moved forward. In 2021, progress was made towards detailing technical specifications and completing procurement activities to complete this project. The city received funding from the Public Service Commission Office of Energy Innovation’s Energy Innovation Grant Program to support the city’s updated scope for the LED project. Work began in the Fall of 2022 and was completed in early 2023. It is estimated the city will see 45,993 kWh annual energy savings and reduce 32.6 metric tons of CO2e with the conversion.
Staff have created a report detailing efforts and lessons learned which can be found online here.
ATTENTION OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF RENTAL HOUSING
You’re invited to attend a FREE Fair Housing training seminar on Wednesday, August 2nd! Whether you’re a new to the industry, new to the area, or a seasoned rental operator looking to brush up on current Fair Housing Laws, this training is for you!
Topics that will be covered during the seminar include:
-Local, state, and federal fair housing laws
-Advertising units in compliance with fair housing law
-Non-discriminatory negotiation with prospective tenants
-Interacting with current tenants in a fair and legal manner
-Reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities
The event will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, 3—5 p.m. at the Madison Public Library Alicia Ashman Branch—733 N. High Point Rd, Madison.
To register for this seminar, visit https://tinyurl.com/Aug2023Madison or call 608-257-0853
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The City of Sun Prairie is thrilled to announce that it will be hosting its highly anticipated annual Multicultural Fair on Saturday, September 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sheehan Park, located at 1375 Linnerud Drive, Sun Prairie WI. This vibrant event aims to honor and celebrate the diverse cultures that thrive within our community, fostering unity and promoting cultural exchange.
The Multicultural Fair promises an immersive experience for attendees, featuring a wide array of activities and attractions that highlight the richness of our city's multicultural heritage. From captivating cultural performances to a delectable variety of international cuisine, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to cultural performances and food, attendees can expect an abundance of activities, community resources, and engagement opportunities with local organizations. The event is designed to create an inclusive atmosphere where individuals from all walks of life can connect, learn, and appreciate the different cultures that contribute to the fabric of Sun Prairie.
Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Vendors
Planning for the 2023 event will continue for the next few months. The planning committee is still looking for sponsors, vendors, and performers. If individuals or organizations are interested in becoming a sponsor and/or have questions about sponsorship levels, they can email Mary Ellen Havel-Lang at spyfc@charter.net. Vendors and exhibitors with any interest or questions can contact Jake King at jking@cityofsunprairie.com. Once we have the official list for everyone, we will be sure to post it and share out.
Want to be a sponsor?
Interested in being a sponsor for the 2023 Multicultural Fair? We have plenty of options for you to review and consider. Click here to see the different levels.
Community Spotlight
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
Recreation Department
NEW OFFICE HOURS Through September 1, 2023:
The Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry office is open: Monday – Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm, and Fridays 8am-12pm or by phone at (608) 837-3449 or by email at rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
Announcements:
Family Aquatic Center now Open!
Daily admission is $5.25/person and Season Passes are still available to purchase online or in person Purchase Season Passes - Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry (cityofsunprairie.com)
Concerts in the Park
Join us for concerts in the park this summer at Wetmore Park! Grab a beer from Working Draft and a bite to eat from one of our food trucks, and enjoy yard games and the splash pad!
Summer Rec Guide out now!
Summer Rec Guide and registration is now open for residents! It’s not too late to join in on the fun this summer.
Upcoming Programs Not to Be Missed:
Foundation of Athletic Development
August 1st – August 22nd
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 7/25/2023
Foundations of Athletic Development is a 60-minute training session designed for 9-12 year olds with the focus of learning and developing fundamental athletic skills and movements that translate directly to their sports. Learning these quality skills and movement patterns can set each child up for a successful path in sports or an active lifestyle, while also decreasing bad habits from forming that could lead to injuries. Sessions will incorporate skills such as body weight strength, core stability, coordination, body control/awareness, and fundamental positions/skills used in athletics and training.
August 7th – August 31st
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 7/31/2023
For Kids entering grades 1-5 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Grab your sunscreen and lace up your tennis shoes because you are in for a summer full of excitement! Come join our staff for a supervised afternoon jam-packed with playground games, wild and wacky activities, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration and more!
New this year Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation, and Forestry has partnered with Sun Prairie Community Schools to provide weekly activities provided by community organizations and vendors!
Program Information:
• Program staff will be stationed at the park from 1:00 – 5:00 pm Monday – Thursday, weather dependent. Please check Rainout Line or Facebook to see if the program is cancelled or relocated for the day due to inclement weather.
• The program fee covers all days for each session. The fee will not be prorated or credited for days that your child does not attend or cancellations due to inclement weather.
• This is a drop-in style program. Children will sign-in upon arrival and sign out upon departure from the program. Children are not to leave on their own without being signed out by a parent/guardian or if a permission slip for self-sign out is on file with program staff.
• Structured activities will take place all afternoon – children may attend for the entire duration of time, or may choose to come for just certain times. Because it is a drop-in style program, children are not required to attend every meeting date – come play when it works for your child’s schedule.
• A detailed schedule of activities will be provided to participants on site and e-mailed out to parents/guardians on a bi-weekly basis for the duration of the program.
• Kids at the Park (2-day option): We are offering a 2-day drop in option for families. This option works the same as our Monday-Thursday sessions, with a little more flexibilty for those whoe need it!
August 1st – September 5th
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 7/25/2023
August 3rd – September 7th
5:15 – 6:15 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 7/27/2023
August 3rd – September 7th
9:00 – 9:45 a.m.
Registration Deadline: 7/27/2023
ZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and International music/dance themes that create a dynamic and exciting environment. Based on the principle that a workout should be "FUN AND EASY TO DO", the routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body.
August 10th
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Registration Deadline: 8/3/2023
Our Pillows will make a great addition to your home or can be a great gift idea! Choose from 1 of 4 designs, and personalize. Let your inner maker loose and decorate yours to fit your personal taste and style. Plus enjoy a memorable DIY experience to boot!
Public Safety
Sun Prairie Media Center
SUN PRAIRIE MEDIA CENTER RELEASES DOCUMENTARY ON 2018 GAS EXPLOSION
The Sun Prairie Media Center (SPMC) is honored to release “Sun Prairie Stronger”, an hour-long documentary marking the fifth anniversary of the tragic gas explosion that occurred in downtown Sun Prairie on July 10, 2018, which took the life of Sun Prairie Fire Captain Cory Barr.
This documentary is the culmination of extensive efforts to gather compelling footage and interviews that detail the incident, the city’s response, and the community’s outpouring of support to all who were impacted. The video includes exclusive interviews with key figures such as Mayor Paul Esser, Aaron Oppenheimer, City Administrator, Fire Chief Chris Garrison, Sun Prairie police officials, and other individuals who contributed to the remarkable rebuilding of the city’s infrastructure.
To produce this project, SPMC collaborated with Steve Donovan Film and Video, a video production company based in New Glarus, who assisted in editing the footage together to communicate the story. Dan Presser, host of Sun Prairie News, conducted the interviews.
“This project holds tremendous significance for me,” said Steve Donovan, owner of Steve Donovan Film and Video. “It is an honor to be involved, and I hope that the documentary will capture the indomitable strength and love that define this incredible community."
"Stronger Sun Prairie" encapsulates the resilient and unwavering spirit of Sun Prairie, illustrating the community's remarkable ability to come together in the face of unexpected challenges.
July 10, 2018, stands as a pivotal day in Sun Prairie’s history, and this documentary will help ensure that those who dedicated themselves to saving lives, protecting property, and rebuilding downtown will forever be remembered.
The documentary is available for on-demand viewing at sunprairiemediacenter.com/ksun. Additionally, viewers can access the documentary through the Sun Prairie Media Center Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV channels, as well as the Sun Prairie Media Center's free mobile app, available for download on the App Store or Google Play.
Please note that the content contains graphic material that may be harmful or traumatizing to some viewers. It includes real-time footage of downtown Sun Prairie during and after the incident and fire on July 10, 2018. This includes scenes of properties engulfed in flames, devastated structures and vehicles, and interviews where individuals discuss their injuries. Viewer discretion is advised. This video may not be suitable for children or those with post-traumatic stress disorder.
KIDS-4 Registration Opens August 1
Here’s your child’s chance to write and produce their own videos and podcasts by joining the one-of-a-kind KIDS-4 program! KIDS-4 is an after-school media production program run by the Sun Prairie Media Center designed for SPASD students in 4th through 8th grade.
In KIDS-4, students are trained in many areas necessary to create their own television and video productions including cameras, lighting, sound, directing, producing, writing, editing, and animation. While students work with adult staff, their creativity is unfiltered and their work is entirely their own. By creating their own media messages, students become smarter and more critical consumers of others' media messages.
Students enrolled in KIDS-4 work after school at the Media Center once a week in ‘crews’ and their work airs on KIDS-4, a 24-hour public access station available on Charter, TDS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV devices, as well as streaming on kids4.tv and on the free Sun Prairie Media Center app. Some projects will also air on 103.5 The Sun Community Radio.
Registration for returning crewmembers is now open. Registration for any new members will open on August 1. KIDS-4 Registration is available online at www.kids4.tv/kids-4-signup-info/ . KIDS-4 will host an open house on Monday, August 16 from 4-6 PM. On that day, interested students and families will get the opportunity to tour the Sun Prairie Media Center and meet the KIDS-4 staff. The final deadline for registration submission is on September 16. Please keep in mind that registration numbers are limited for this program.
Anyone interested in the KIDS-4 program who cannot make the August 16 open house is encouraged to call 608-837-4193 to make alternate tour arrangements.
Please visit kids4.tv for more information.
Sun Prairie Utilities
Cool off with SPU!
Sun Prairie Utilities generously sponsored day passes at the Family Aquatic Center, offering a refreshing opportunity to beat the scorching summer heat.
On July 15, the event kicked off with an incredible gesture: free admission for the first 100 guests. As attendees arrived, they were greeted with a thoughtful gift—a complimentary water bottle upon entering the facility. This sponsorship not only provided a wonderful recreational experience but also promoted community engagement. Families and individuals alike eagerly embraced this chance to cool off, have fun, and create lasting memories at the Family Aquatic Center.