During an April 14 Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved a contract award to Arch Solar to install a solar energy system on the roof of Pleasant Prairie RecPlex. The facility is municipally owned and located on the shores of Lake Andrea at 9900 Terwall Terrace in Pleasant Prairie. The Village Board authorized Village Administrator Eric Rindfleisch to finalize the agreement. The contract was officially signed on June 25, 2025.
“This solar investment is expected to offset nearly 15% of energy use at RecPlex, reducing electricity costs by about $100,000 each year,” said Ariel Briggs, Pleasant Prairie Executive Director of Parks & Recreation. “By lowering long-term energy expenses, the solar system is expected to pay for itself in under 10 years and generate an estimated $3.8 million in savings over its lifespan.”
The project will be funded through General Obligation (GO) bonds, with repayment made by the RecPlex Enterprise Fund, which operates independently from the Village General Fund. No tax dollars will be used to cover the cost of the project. The Enterprise Fund is structured to operate as a business, covering both operational and capital expenses through membership fees, programs, rentals, and other revenue sources.
The system will reduce utility costs by generating energy for use at RecPlex. Any excess power will be fed into the WE Energies power grid, resulting in energy credits that lower RecPlex energy bills and contribute to reduced operating costs.
“This project reflects a practical investment in the long-term financial sustainability of RecPlex,” said Village President Dave Klimisch. “The solar initiative will offset operating expenses through on-site solar energy use and credits received for excess power sent to the utility grid.”
Installation is scheduled to align with the roof replacement project at RecPlex, which is currently underway, ensuring both systems share a similar service life. A thicker roofing material with an estimated 40-year lifespan is being installed to support the 30-plus-year lifespan of the solar equipment. Coordinating these efforts helps prevent future disruptions and avoids additional costs that could arise from installing solar panels on an aging roof. By offsetting energy expenses and supporting long-term cost reduction, the project will help strengthen the RecPlex Enterprise Fund and support the Village mission to promote and preserve investment in the community.