Today we are excited to announce that we are officially fundraising for the development of a dedicated rugby facility in the Milwaukee area.
The commitment to developing a permanent home for rugby in Milwaukee is not a decision we take lightly, nor quickly, as you will discover below.
As of this writing, we have raised $150,000. We now invite you to join us in this grand endeavor by becoming a “Founder” and making a permanent mark — literally — on rugby in Milwaukee.
Everyone who donates $1000 or more will have their name noted permanently on the “Founders Wall” of the facility.
How we got here
Developing a rugby facility is a club-wide effort by the Milwaukee Barbarians Rugby Club. The first example of investing by the club dates back to the 2003 purchase of a sports bar — the Sin Bin — to be used as a club house and gathering place. While this real estate venture did not include land for a field, it was the start of a long-term vision for the club.
Managed by a separate entity called Harlequin Enterprises, the Sin Bin was sold in 2021 and the profits donated to SCRUM.
The other long-term investment for the club is our local tournament, the Lakefront 7s. Starting with just a few teams in 1983, it has grown into the largest summer-rugby event in the country powered by scores of volunteers.
In recent years, a concerted effort was made to save proceeds from the Lakefront 7s with the hope of making a real estate purchase in the future. A tax-exempt, non-profit entity — the Society for Cultivating Rugby Union Mastery or SCRUM — was established in 2017 to help manage and invest these proceeds.
SCRUM is also the organization that manages the Barbarians’ Sustaining Membership program. This program also began in 2017, and as of this writing has nearly 70 active members. Fifty percent (50%) of all donations from Sustaining Members are ear-marked for facility development.
Under the auspices of SCRUM, all existing funds (approximately $150,000) have been invested for the sole-use of developing a dedicated rugby facility in Milwaukee.
SCRUM will be the primary entity for all current and future fundraising.
Purpose of the facility
A multi-generational committee of current Milwaukee Barbarian members — with a combined 169-years of club membership — has been established to produce a phased plan for facility development. This includes the initial acquisition of the land, and phase 1 of actual facility development.
One of the first tasks completed by the committee was forming a clear mission statement. Here is the completed version that will be used to guide the decision making process going forward:
To create a thriving and sustainable family-oriented rugby community centered around a dedicated facility where people of all ages can find their place as a player, coach, alumnus, volunteer and supporter.
Current Status
The committee is currently in “fact finding” mode. This involves discussions with existing sports organizations with experience in developing dedicated facilities, as well as discussions with real estate experts.
Time Frame
No time frame is currently available. Once a location and costs have been identified, a phased development plan will be prepared and submitted to all club members for a vote of approval before proceeding.
Questions?
If you have questions about the facility, or are interested to make a special gift, please reach out via our contact page.
