The Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac has been shaping kids' futures for years. This expansion just gives them more room to do it.
A new cafeteria and expanded entrance are underway and expected to be completed later this year. The additions and renovations improve safety and security while creating more space for youth and families who count on the Club every day.
More project updates and community work at /education#fdlbg
#FondduLac #BoysAndGirlsClub #BuildingCommunity #YouthDevelopment #WisconsinConstruction @bgcfdl@bgca_clubs
Students understand construction differently once they step onto an active jobsite.
That’s when career pathways start to feel real.
Building relationships is central, and that commitment extends beyond the project. It means investing in the future of the industry through the CDS School Partnership Program.
This initiative connects students with experienced professionals through hands-on learning, mentorship and real-world exposure tied directly to active construction projects and the skilled trades.
Support extends beyond mentorship. C.D. Smith backs ACE Academies across Wisconsin with job fairs, ride-alongs, supplies and manpower while also supporting students pursuing careers in the trades through sponsorships and annual grant opportunities.
One recent example: Franklin High School Construction II students visited an active jobsite as part of the district’s ongoing partnership program. Students observed wall panel installation, saw how building systems come together behind finished walls and heard firsthand about apprenticeship pathways across multiple trades including Operating Engineers, Ironworkers, Bricklayers and Electricians.
The future workforce is already here. They just need the opportunity to see what’s possible.
Learn more: cdsmith(dot)com/education#news
#SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment #ConstructionCareers #CDSSchoolPartnershipProgram #WisconsinConstruction #BuildingCommunity @fpsdistrictwi@cdsmithconstruction
Thirty thousand square feet. No windows. No natural light. Not anymore.
At Sunnyside Elementary, the Pulaski Community School District faced a challenge uncommon in most renovations: interior and basement learning spaces with no access to daylight.
Rather than abandon the space or build a significantly larger addition, the project team carved a two-story hub from the center of the existing structure and capped it with a large skylight. Natural light now reaches spaces that previously had none, while flexible gathering areas and a tiered learning stair create new ways for students and educators to connect throughout the school.
Completed within a fully occupied facility, the 45,700 SF addition and renovation transformed roughly 30,000 square feet of formerly dark interior and basement space into bright, functional learning environments while daily school operations continued throughout construction.
Recently recognized as one of The Daily Reporter’s Top Projects of 2025, the project reflects the long-term impact thoughtful school investments can have on students, families and the broader Pulaski community.
Congratulations to Pulaski Community School District and the entire project team on this recognition.
Learn more: cdsmith(dot)com/education#news
#EducationConstruction #K12Construction #WisconsinConstruction #AdaptiveReuse #SchoolDesign #CommunityImpact
@thedailyreporter@pulaskischoolswi@trustbray@cdsmithconstruction
The Kewaskum Community Building brings municipal services and community space together in one place. That approach is now being recognized as one of the top new construction projects in the region.
The 23,150-square-foot facility replaces the village’s outdated mid-century hall on the same central downtown parcel, bringing Village Hall operations, the Police Department and community gathering spaces together under one roof.
The building is designed for how a community uses its civic spaces, supporting public meetings, events, programming and everyday access to local services in a single, accessible location.
Residents have a clearer path to services. Village staff operate more efficiently. Community spaces support how the building is used day to day.
By reinvesting in the existing downtown site, the Village of Kewaskum strengthened its civic presence while improving how people interact with local government.
The Kewaskum Community Building was named a finalist in the New Construction category of the 2026 Milwaukee Business Journal Real Estate Awards.
Learn more: cdsmith.com/civicgovernment#news
#CivicConstruction #Municipal #CommunityInfrastructure #Wisconsin #Kewaskum #PublicSector
@milwaukeebusinessjournal@vo_kewaskum@exlengineering@cdsmithconstruction
A century of history and a clear path for what comes next. That’s the vision playing out on the shores of Nagawicka Lake.
The Commodore — A Bartolotta Restaurant reopened in the summer of 2024 following the renovation of the historic 1902 building, bringing together dining, private events and lakefront gatherings in a 34,000-square-foot space designed for how people come together.
The names carry it forward.
The Grand Heritage Room
The Baldwin Lounge
The Pleasant View Pavilion
Each space reflects the property's history while supporting its use today.
The result is a destination that continues to draw people in, now with the flexibility to host everything from everyday dining to large gatherings.
Recognized as part of the 2026 WCREW Impact Awards, the project reflects what’s possible when historic preservation and modern hospitality come together.
Read the full story: /blog/the-commodore-bartolotta-restaurant-renovation
#HistoricRenovation #AdaptiveReuse #Hospitality #DelafieldWI #WaukeshaCounty #NagawickaLake #EventVenue #Restoration
@thecommodoredelafield@bartolottas WCREW - Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women @grothdesigngroup@cdsmithconstruction
The cities people remember are the ones that invest in bringing people together.
In Milwaukee, that decision has redefined what the city can host.
The expanded Baird Center can now host multiple large-scale events simultaneously. Something that simply wasn’t possible before.
That shift opens the door to more:
• National conventions
• Major trade shows running side by side
• Hundreds of thousands of visitors experiencing what Milwaukee has to offer
In the first year following the expansion, the center hosted 192 events, welcomed over 420,000 attendees and generated $174 million in economic impact. In 2024 alone, that impact reached $374.5 million.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the expansion is now one of a limited number of LEED Gold-certified convention centers in the country.
Recently named WCREW Project of the Year, the project reflects what’s possible when long-term vision drives investment in a city, its people and its future.
Learn more: cdsmith(dot)com/bairdcenter [Link in first comment]
#Milwaukee #ConventionCenter #EconomicImpact #Tourism #Sustainability #RealEstateDevelopment
WCREW - Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women@bairdcenter TVS @eua.1907@gilbanebuilding@cdsmithconstruction
Students at James Williams Middle School are now learning in spaces that better prepare them for what comes next.
Updated classrooms for technology education, Family & Consumer Education and flexible instruction create more opportunities to build practical skills early. Expanded student support areas and a new secure entrance improve how the school operates day to day.
These changes help students connect hands-on learning to where it can take them, from classroom experience to real-world applications in the community.
The ribbon cutting marks completion of the middle school portion of the School District of Rhinelander’s referendum projects. Rhinelander High School is in active construction, with completion targeted for August 2026.
Full update at cdsmith(dot)com/education#news.
#CDSmith #WisconsinConstruction #Construction #K12Construction #Education #Wisconsin #ThinkSafeWorkSafe
@rhinelanderschools@trustbray@cdsmithconstruction
Construction is getting more complex. Early decisions carry more weight than ever.
Planning starts sooner and coordination runs deeper, shaping outcomes long before construction begins.
The Spring 2026 issue of Beneath the Hard Hat® takes a closer look at how that shift is showing up across projects and communities in Wisconsin.
INSIDE ISSUE 10:
• Renovations and upgrades completed within active manufacturing environments, where planning and sequencing keep operations moving
• Healthcare projects built around patient safety, staff workflows and long-term flexibility
• Infrastructure investments designed for resilience and generational performance
• School renovations and expansions phased around students, staff and collaborative daily learning spaces
Projects with Campbell Snacks, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, SSM Health, the City of Reedsburg, Rosendale-Brandon School District and Pierce Manufacturing reflect how decisions are made in real time.
These insights build on over 90 years of experience across complex project environments, where collaborative planning and alignment continue to shape what’s possible.
Read, share and explore the full issue at cdsmith(dot)com/bthhmagazine.
#CDSmith #WisconsinConstruction #Construction #BeneathTheHardHat #ThinkSafeWorkSafe #Healthcare #Education #Industrial #Manufacturing #wisconsin
@campbells@stmarysgb@piercemfg@oshkoshcorp@rosendalebrandonsd@ssm_health@ssm_health_greater_fond_du_lac
Cheese Expo keeps getting bigger.
The dairy industry isn’t standing still.
Neither are the facilities behind it.
Capacity is expanding. Processes are getting more complex. And the expectation is to keep production running.
This is where the work matters most.
Upgrades without downtime. Expansions inside active plants. Systems that have to perform from day one.
That’s the kind of work being talked about and solved at Cheese Expo and across the industry.
We'll be there, connecting with owners, operators, partners and industry leaders working through those same challenges.
📍 Booth 1349
📍 Baird Center
📅 Exhibit Hall open Wednesday and Thursday
More on the event at cheeseexpo.org.
What it takes to expand and upgrade without stopping production: /foodbeverage
#CheeseExpo #DairyIndustry #FoodProcessing #IndustrialConstruction
Now hiring a Senior Marketing, Communications and Digital Specialist.
This is a hands-on role responsible for advancing marketing, digital presence and communication in support of business growth.
Because the strongest marketing comes from ownership, execution and staying close to the work.
Built for someone who can own strategy and execute it. Someone who writes, designs, builds and stays connected to project teams, pursuits and clients to make the work stronger.
Based in Fond du Lac, WI.
Explore the role and apply: /careers#office
#MarketingCareers #DigitalMarketing #ConstructionCareers #AECMarketing #NowHiring
Project Managers set the tone for how projects run and how teams work together.
They bring clarity, build alignment and keep teams moving forward.
Across projects at C.D. Smith, that shows up in day-to-day execution.
- Clear communication across teams
- Strong relationships with clients and partners
- Decisions made with confidence and accountability
Open roles:
• Project Manager: Fond du Lac, WI
• Project Manager: Milwaukee, WI
For those who want to lead projects and build lasting relationships along the way, this is where that happens.
Careers: /careers#office
#ConstructionCareers #ProjectManager #NowHiring #WisconsinJobs #BuildYourCareer #ConstructionJobs
Building a school starts long before construction begins.
Yesterday we joined the Mount Horeb Area School District to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Mount Horeb Primary Center, an event filled with intention, creativity and student pride.
From music and performances to remarks shared by Dr. Salerno, Principal Johnson and our Project Manager Molly Nemcek, the celebration reflected the care and collaboration behind this project.
We are proud to partner with Bray Architects and the Mount Horeb Area School District as we begin construction on a space built to support learning and community for years to come.
@mhasdschooldistrict@cdsmithconstruction@trustbray