The Franklin Public Schools district leadership and school board, in an effort to meet our vision of being PART OF A BETTER COMMUNITY, share details on this page about the CERC (Community Education & Recreation Center) Project, including new updates, the project overview, timeline and frequently asked questions. 

Banner: Updates

 

- NOV 2025 - 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Invite - Thurs 12/4 @ 10am. 8355 West Forest Hill Ave

 

NEW COMMUNITY EDUCATION & RECREATION CENTER (CERC) RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY THURS 12/4 @ 9AM

Franklin Public Schools, in partnership with our partners at Cadence Consulting, Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA), and VJS Construction are proud to announce the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Community Education & Recreation Center (CERC) located at 8355 West Forest Hill Avenue, adjacent to the ECC District Office.  

  • WHO: Community & Public are welcome to attend (event will be inside)
  • WHAT: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for CERC, followed by light refreshments 
  • WHEN: Thursday, December 4th @ 9am
  • WHERE: Community Education & Recreation Center (CERC) - 8355 West Forest Hill Avenue, Franklin.  Enter off Forest Hill into the new parking lot. 
  • This event, including post-ceremony refreshments, will be inside. If a change needs to be made due to very inclement weather, we will update this calendar event and also share details at tinyurl.com/fpscerc

Please contact Chad Kafka, FPS Communications Specialist if you have any questions at chad.kafka@franklin.k12.wi.us or 414-525-7603

 

- OCT 2025 - 

Sidewalk closure near construction site is now open again as of Wednesday, October 29, 2025.  

 

- SEPT 2025 - 

Sidewalk closure near construction site begins Friday, September 26th and will last through Friday, October 17th. See message here

Construction on our new Community Education & Recreation Center (CERC) is progressing, with an expected completion date in late 2025. Below you can see a timelapse video of the work that took place between April and August 2025.

 

Also, Dr. Annalee Bennin recorded this special message below for our Pleasant View & South Glen Elementary 4th grade students.  Last fall, the third grade classes at these buildings researched all-inclusive playgrounds as part of a class project and shared ideas with district leadership that helped to shape the playgrounds that are being installed for the community.  

 

- JUNE 2025 - 

We're Moving! With the upcoming changes to Franklin High School due to the referendum and the start of construction, as well as the ongoing work at the new Community Education and Recreation Center, the Community Education and Recreation Department will be on the move!

Currently, our office is located within Franklin High School, but starting the first week of July 2025, we will be relocating to the Education and Community Center (District Office). We will be operating out of the ECC for at least the next six months while we await the completion of the new Community Education and Recreation Center.

All of our current phone numbers will remain the same! We look forward to serving you from our new temporary location and will keep you updated on further developments!

 

- APRIL 2025 -

Community, Board Members, Partners and Students at Groundbreaking Ceremony

As featured in our District Newsletter here, we held a CERC Groundbreaking Ceremony for the public on Wednesday, April 9th in partnership with Cadence Consulting, Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) and VJS Construction Services. The event was open to the public and attended by students, families, community members, district employees and city leaders, including Mayor John Nelson and Alderwoman Michelle Eichmann. 

  • Designs & Renderings are shared in the top newsletter article here
  • A Photo Album from the event is featured here

 

- MARCH 2025 -

Groundbreaking Ceremony invitation. Wed 4/9 @ 10:30a in Parking Lot behind ECC District Office. Public Welcome

 

- JANUARY 2025 -

 

- NOVEMBER 2024 & DECEMBER 2024 ACTIVITIES -

1. Site Securement & Mobilization

  • This involves setting up the perimeter of the site to ensure safety and security, including installing fences or barriers and establishing access points for equipment and workers.
  • Mobilizing the necessary equipment, such as construction vehicles, excavators, and machinery, to the site.

2. Erosion Control

  • Installing measures to prevent soil erosion during the construction process. This could include silt fences, sediment basins, or erosion control blankets to manage stormwater runoff and protect the surrounding environment.

3. Land Clearing

  • Clearing the site of trees, brush, rocks, and any other obstacles in preparation for the excavation and building stages. This might involve using bulldozers or other heavy equipment to remove debris and prepare a flat, clear area for construction.

4. Excavation

  • Excavation is the process of digging up soil or rock to prepare for foundations, basements, utilities, or other infrastructure. This might involve digging trenches for utilities or leveling the ground.

5. Site Utilities Installation

  • Laying the groundwork for utilities such as water, sewer, electricity, and gas lines. Excavation will be needed to create trenches for these systems, and the utilities themselves will be installed during this phase.