LA CROSSE, Wis., January 27, 2026 – Western Technical College is proud to announce that the Wanek Center of Innovation has been awarded both the prestigious Project of the Year Award and a 2025 Projects of Distinction Gold Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Wisconsin. Both honors were presented to the Wanek Center at ABC’s annual celebration, recognizing excellence in construction and highlighting projects that demonstrate innovation, high-quality craftsmanship, and strong collaboration between owners, contractors, and design teams.
The Wanek Center of Innovation, an extensive renovation of Western’s former Business Education Building, was completed in partnership with Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc., the project’s Gold Award–winning builder, with support from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation and Ashley Furniture Industries’ design and construction team. The project transformed 34,172 square feet into a cutting-edge educational hub designed to support advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, smart manufacturing, data analytics, and cybersecurity training. Nearly 35 local trade partners contributed to the development of the new center.
“This award is a testament to the incredible teamwork, vision, and commitment to innovation that this project represents,” said Josh Gamer, Associate VP of Workforce Partnerships & Innovation at Western. “The Wanek Center of Innovation is already reshaping how students engage with emerging technologies and how we collaborate with our regional industry partners. It stands as a major step forward in preparing our workforce for the future.”
The facility features high-tech classrooms, robotics and computer labs, administrative and support areas, large open vestibules, and flexible instructional spaces designed to adapt to evolving industry needs. The Wanek Center reinforces Western’s leadership in workforce development by strengthening hands-on learning opportunities that mirror real-world manufacturing environments. The center also enables Western to provide significant outreach opportunities for K-12 students across the district and offers support for local FIRST Robotics teams, expanding its impact on the broader community.
“The Wanek Center of Innovation is a catalyst for economic growth across western Wisconsin,” Gamer added. “We are proud to see our students, employers, and community benefiting from a space specifically designed to respond to the rapidly changing demands of the modern manufacturing sector.”
The Projects of Distinction Awards celebrate construction achievements throughout Wisconsin. Judges evaluate safety, craftsmanship, execution, innovation, and overall distinctiveness, emphasizing projects that deliver exceptional quality and community impact.
For more information about the Wanek Center of Innovation, visit: www.westerntc.edu/WanekCenter