Shawano County Residents Hear Updates on Courthouse, Library Plans

SHAWANO COUNTY, WI – Community members gathered Wednesday night at Bonduel High School to hear the latest updates on long-term plans for Shawano County facilities, including the future of the courthouse and county library.

Officials and project leaders outlined several concerns with the current courthouse, particularly when it comes to safety and outdated design. Kurt Berner of the Samuels Group emphasized that one of the most pressing issues is the lack of security measures at entrances. “One of the biggest problems is security screening,” Berner said, noting there is currently no system in place to check for weapons, raising concerns for both staff and the public.

The meeting also highlighted broader planning efforts involving other county buildings, including the future of the Shawano County Library. Leaders say they are exploring how the library could be incorporated into a larger, more efficient facilities plan.

Brad Kwansy of Venture Architects says multiple options are being considered, ranging from new construction to repurposing existing buildings. “We looked at, can we incorporate the library into the overall new building with courts and all the government functions,” Kwansy said. “We’ve also looked at sites like Peace United Church of Christ and the Genex facility.”