About Us

Board of Directors

  • Coke Lindsey

  • Arianna Austin

  • Beret Casey

  • Timm Bailey

  • Beta Bodin

  • Jamie Cook

  • Dawn Bellile

  • Becca (Hauser) Wroblewski

  • Lynda Warren

  • Ed Wroblewski

Staff

  • Jason St. Arnold

Our team

 

Coke (Carol) Lindsey


COKE is a 4th generation member of the Washburn community. As part of a DuPont family, she spent many hours of her childhood at The Club enjoying recreational, social and athletic activities. After competing as an Olympic athlete and earning degrees in both Education and Mechanical Engineering, Coke returned to Chequamegon Bay to pursue a career in engineering. Coke has served on many local boards throughout her life, giving back to the community that she loves.

 

Arianna Austin


ARIANNA grew up in Washburn. Shortly after earning a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development, she and her husband moved back to Washburn to raise their children. Arianna hopes that her involvement with The Club will help to provide recreational opportunities for local kids both after school and throughout the long, cold winters.

 

Beret Casey

BERET is an Endocrinology and Diabetes Physician at Essentia Health. Beret was raised in central Wisconsin and her husband is originally from Washburn. They moved back to the area in 2014 with their two sons. Beret is looking forward to spending time at The Club with friends and family to add to the fun and active experience of living in the Chequamegon Bay area.

 

Timm Bailey

TIMM is the most recent addition to The Club board.

Becca (Hauser) Wroblewski

BECCA was born in Bayfield, growing up on Hauser’s Superior View Farm. After earning a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, she and her husband, a Washburn native, moved to the Chicago area. In 2014 they decided to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city and move back to Washburn to raise their children closer to their families and rejoin the communities of their childhoods. Becca is excited to contribute to the ongoing efforts to make The Club a welcoming and functional space for the community to enjoy for years to come.

 

Lynda Warren


LYNDA grew up all over the United States. In 1989, her dad decided “no more moving,” so they packed up and moved to her dad’s favorite place: Chequamegon Bay. Here she experienced small town life for the first time, including the ability to roam the town on her own. Lynda graduated from Washburn High School and married her husband, whose family goes back generations in Washburn. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree before returning to Washburn to raise their family. Lynda strives to make the community one that she wants to live in everyday.

Beta Bodin



BETA is a graduate of Washburn High School and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Beta is the President of Bodin’s Inc. She has, and will continue to serve her region, through her involvement as a board member for numerous business, religious and community organizations. Beta believes that we all have skills and talents to share that will make the Chequamegon Bay area stronger and healthier.

 

Jamie Cook



JAMIE was born and raised in Northern Wisconsin. She moved to Washburn in 2006, after meeting her husband. Her husband operates a 3rd generation family business which ties Jamie to the Washburn community. Together they have three young children. Jamie has worked on playground improvements and the development of youth athletics programs. She believes in providing more opportunities for kids in the community. Jamie is thrilled to help The Club grow back into the heart of Washburn.

 

Dawn (Strom) Bellile


DAWN is a 4th generation, born, raised, and retired Washburn resident and graduate of Washburn High School. Dawn loved her childhood growing up in Washburn so much that she sought employment as the Bayfield County Deputy Clerk and raised her family as she grew up. Dawn has served on numerous councils and committees to help better Washburn and is excited to join the Board of Directors to help revitalize this grand old building we lovingly call The Club, and to have The Club once again serve as a main community center for future generations.

 

Ed Wrobleweski


ED is a Washburn native and Washburn High School graduate. After earning a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from UW-Stout, he worked as an Electrical Controls Engineer and Business Manager in Minneapolis for 20 years. He and his wife made the decision to move their family to Washburn in 2019 with Ed joining his brother in the family plumbing business. He and his family enjoy the quieter life in the Chequamegon Bay area, hiking, fishing, skiing and biking. Ed joins the board of directors eager to continue the progress in making The Club an asset to the community for current and future generations.

 

Jason St. Arnold



JASON grew up in Washburn and in his own words: “The Club played a big role in keeping me positively engaged in the community and out of trouble as a youth growing up in Washburn.” After spending 20 years in the Air Force, Jason has moved back to the area to raise his family. He has held a variety of jobs in his military service which gives him the necessary skills to bring The Club to the next level as a community gathering space and recreation center.

 

Our Story

Past

 
 

The Club was built by the DuPont Company in 1918 as a Y.M.C.A, to serve as a cultural and recreational center for its Barksdale Works employees and the Washburn community. After only a year, the building became known as The DuPont Club. The Club housed a gymnasium which offered a basketball and shuffleboard court, as well as gathering spaces for social functions, and a four-lane bowling alley.

With operations at Barksdale Works winding down, the City of Washburn accepted DuPont’s offer of the building in 1961 to continue to serve as a community center. The Club housed numerous entities and activities including the 1980 USA Ski Jumping Team, temporary high school facilities, multiple concerts, public dances, and holiday events, just to name a few.

In 2007, the City of Washburn conducted a condition assessment of the building. The inspection report notes that, “With adequate renovations and remodeling, the Washburn Civic Center can once again become a functional asset to the community.” Citing dwindling financial resources, the Washburn City Council voted to close The Club for good in 2009. A grassroots effort saved The Club from an ill-fated vote to demolish this building, rich with historical significance and community pride.

Jim and Mary Nowakowski purchased the building in 2010, which protected The Club from demolition until adequate support and funding could be assured. In 2013 to ensure it’s future, the Nowakowskis formed the Historic Civic Center Foundation (HCCF) and donated the building to the foundation.

2019 marked the beginning of the newest era for The Club. A group of strong-willed Washburnites, along with many local volunteers, began working on restoring and updating the facility. Main floor projects for the state-required occupancy permit were completed in 2021.

Present

Planning, projects and fund-raising are running full steam ahead to open The Club to the public.

Implementing a full-scale plan for The Club will take time but a phased approach will allow the building to open in increments. Breaking the project into smaller, more manageable pieces allows for addressing priorities, minimizing disruption, staying relevant and remaining financially prudent. The four-phased plan allows The Club to focus on what is most important to our community.

Development is already underway at The Club. Requirements of the state approved plans for the main floor occupancy permit are complete!

PHASE I includes:

• Installation of an ADA compliant bathroom

• Bayfield Street entrance improvements

• Building egress signage

• Basement entry stairway

• West terrace guardrail

• Strengthen repaired building column

• Completion of west entrance

PLUS, we have updated the heating on the main floor and restored the floor in the gymnasium. The north entrance has been redone. The exterior and main floor are in the process of being painted.

PROJECTED BUDGET OF PHASE I: $150,000

 
 

Future

 
 

Our vision for The Club is to create a hub for recreation and community-building in the City of Washburn.

Programming is under development for community members of all ages and interests. From playtime for tots to card games for senior citizens, The Club will be "the place to be" once again. Special events and parties will allow new generations to create beloved memories at The Club. Innovative recreation and fitness opportunities will enhance both physical health and mental wellness.

We'll continue to provide updates as more plans are finalized. Stay tuned!

Be A Part Of Our Future.

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