The Press is busy keeping an eye on headlines to look for in 2026. 

From new programs available through the Verona Community Center to the construction of a Miracle League field at Sugar Creek Elementary School, here are some stories to watch for in the new year:

Verona Community Center grand opening

The city-owned brick building at 130 N. Franklin St, commonly referred to as the former library, entered 2025 as the home of Redeemer Bible Fellowship. By January 2026, it will be the new Verona Community Center. 

Alders voted to terminate their 11-year lease agreement with Redeemer Bible Fellowship in January 2025. A $40,000 renovation budget for the space was approved in September. 

Now, the city is inviting the community to celebrate the opening of the new Verona Community Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9. 

The community center officially opens to the public on Monday, Jan. 5 and is intended to meet the growing social and recreational needs of the community. 

It features two large rooms for public rental and community events, a dedicated space for the new Verona Rec Afterschool program, a quiet activity room with board games and arts/crafts, as well as a gaming room. The building also includes storage space for recreation equipment and offices for the Parks and Urban Forestry and Recreation Departments. 

In addition to room rentals and recreation programming, the community center will also offer space for library and senior center programming, expanding opportunities for education, enrichment and engagement for all ages.

Solar energy on the way

The City of Verona, Verona Area School District (VASD) and Town of Verona are all looking to increase their solar footprint in 2026. 

The City of Verona Common Council approved a quote from Arch Solar in March 2025 for the installation of solar panels on city hall and the fire department. These locations were identified by the Sustainability Task Force for their cost and energy savings. 

Arch Solar estimated an installation price of $119,703 for both buildings, without incentives. The 2025 budget included $50,000 for solar panel installation. The remaining cost will be split between the undesignated reserve fund and the fire department budget. 

The VASD Board of Education committed to match local organization Sustain Verona’s fundraising efforts to install solar panels on the Verona Area High School (VAHS) campus during an October meeting. 

Since it is not a 501(c)(3) organization, Sustain Verona has partnered with the Verona Area Education Foundation to raise funds for solar panels. The final goal for Sustain Verona’s portion is $250,000.

VASD has agreed to match this goal of $250,000 to provide the $500,000 total needed for solar panel installation. The money will come from the 2025-26 facilities maintenance budget. 

The proposed system on the VAHS campus will be approximately 300 kilowatts. This is expected to reduce VAHS’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 200 tons per year. It will also substantially reduce the school’s use of methane. 

At a Dec. 18 meeting, the Town Board voted 3-2 to approve the installation of a solar array on the town hall roof. The contract with Minnesota-based company All Energy Solar calls for the installation of a 72-panel system in May 2026. 

The solar system is expected to cut the town’s annual electric bill by 81%, or $5,618, annually. It will also avoid the production of 573 metric tons of carbon dioxide over 25 years. 

The expected cost of the town’s project, with incentives, is $58,530. 

Miracle League eyes field at Sugar Creek

The Verona Area School District (VASD) could be the newest home to a Miracle League of Dane County baseball field as soon as summer 2027. 

Board of Education members shared their approval for a proposal to open a Miracle League field on Sugar Creek Elementary School grounds during a meeting on Monday, Dec. 15. The Miracle League is a nonprofit organization that gives children with cognitive and physical disabilities the experience of playing baseball. 

The Miracle League of Dane County has been working with the Madison West Middleton Rotary Club to open a baseball field in Verona since last spring. There is currently one Miracle League field in Cottage Grove with growing participation – a new field in Verona would expand the nonprofit’s reach to West Madison.

When the field isn’t being used by the Miracle League, the idea is for VASD staff and students to utilize the space. Sugar Creek Principal Todd Brunner spoke in favor of the baseball field, calling it an “incredible opportunity” for students in the district. 

While board members gave their approval to move forward with the process of constructing a field, there is still money to raise and terms to negotiate. The Miracle League and rotary club are planning to raise at least $3 million dollars to complete the project.

The school board will have to negotiate a land use agreement during a future closed session. This will outline how the land will be utilized and how the parties – VASD and the Miracle League – will share responsibilities. 

Clardy is Wisconsin’s Superintendent of the Year

The Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) has named Verona Area School District (VASD) Superintendent Tremayne Clardy as the 2026 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year. 

According to a news release, Clardy is being recognized for his exceptional leadership in advancing educational equity, fostering community engagement and improving student outcomes. Since joining VASD in 2021, he has guided its schools through a period of significant growth, innovation and success. 

With Clardy’s leadership, the district has become known statewide for removing barriers to learning and fostering a strong sense of belonging to prepare learners to thrive in a diverse global society. Through a focus on data-driven improvement, equitable resource allocation and consistent communication with families and staff, VASD has seen measurable gains in student achievement. 

Overall graduation rates, Advanced Placement participation and attendance have all surpassed state averages.

Clardy’s commitment to community and staff collaboration has been a hallmark feature of his tenure. He led the district’s successful referendum effort to sustain high-quality programs, established Superintendent Advisory Councils for students, staff and families, and expanded partnerships supporting early childhood education and student mental health services. 

Prior to leading VASD, Clardy served as chief of schools for the Madison Metropolitan School District and held roles as principal, teacher and district-level administrator. He has 27 years of experience in K-12 education and also serves as an adjunct professor at Edgewood University in Madison. 

WASDA will present the Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year award to Clardy during the joint WASB/WASDA/WASBO Convention in Milwaukee in January 2026. 

SSM Health anticipates 2026 opening

Construction is underway on SSM Health’s new outpatient medical center located on the south side of Verona. 

This 40,000-square-foot medical clinic, located near the intersection of Hwy. 151 and Hwy. 69, is the first phase of SSM Health’s plan to develop a new medical campus over 97 acres. 

The new outpatient center will offer a range of services, including primary care, specialty care and lab/imaging services. It is expected to open to the public in 2026. 

The vision for the Verona campus is to create a sustainable and healthy environment to serve the community’s health care needs today and for the future. To realize this vision, SSM Health partnered with Kahler Slater and JP Cullen.

Verona will explore a joint fire/EMS district with Fitchburg, Oregon

The Verona Common Council gave permission to city staff in December to explore a potential joint fire and EMS district with the City of Fitchburg and Village of Oregon. 

Verona currently offers city-based fire services and a district-based model – between the City of Fitchburg and Town of Verona – for EMS services (Fitch-Rona EMS). 

Elected officials and administrators from Oregon, Fitchburg and Verona have discussed what forming a joint fire and EMS district could look like. The municipalities will continue to analyze the feasibility and benefits of a joint district in 2026. 

City of Verona to release draft Comprehensive Plan

After collecting input from the community throughout 2025, the City of Verona is expected to release a draft Comprehensive Plan in February 2026. 

The city hosted its final round of public open houses in September, inviting community members to review draft recommendations and help guide the growth and development vision for Verona. 

Verona’s comprehensive plan serves as a roadmap for long-term growth and improvements, including housing, transportation, utilities, parks and community facilities, natural and cultural resources, and land use. It is updated every 10 years. 

For updates, event details and additional opportunities to participate, visit the plan website at tinyurl.com/EnvisionVerona. 

Spring Election 

Local candidates for the 2026 Spring Election have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6 to file nomination papers with their respective clerk. 

If a primary election is necessary, it will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The spring election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7. 

The Verona Area School District Board of Education will elect two seats: At Large (incumbent John Porco) and Portion 3, City of Verona (incumbent Juan Carlos Medina). 

Mayor Luke Diaz is currently running unopposed for reelection in the City of Verona.

District 1 Alder Melissa Kellor is not seeking reelection to the Common Council. Additional seats on the ballot include District 2, District 3 and District 4. Incumbent Patrick Lytle is running for reelection in District 4. 

Incumbents Mike Duerst and Deborah Paul are seeking reelection to the Town Board with two supervisor seats on the spring ballot. 

Verona Senior Center’s new trishaw bike

The City of Verona and staff at the Verona Senior Center announced a very special arrival in 2025: its very own Van Raam Chat trishaw bike. This means 2026 will mark the first full season of the bike’s use and its resulting impact on the community. 

Resident Dean Gorrell volunteered to lead a fundraising effort in 2024 to purchase a trishaw bike, a three-wheeled bicycle capable of carrying two passengers and a pilot on leisure rides, for use by the Verona Senior Center. 

Local businesses and individual donors raised more than $15,000 to support this project in under three months. After a 17-month wait, the bike arrived in Verona and senior center staff are now preparing to train volunteers and begin offering rides. 

This effort is part of the international Cycling Without Age program, which helps people with limited mobility enjoy the outdoors by riding as passengers on specialized bikes. The initiative provides opportunities for older adults to experience the sunshine, sights and sounds of their community in an active, social way. 

Members of the senior center are eligible for ride, and availability will also extend to residents of surrounding care facilities. 

If you are interested in becoming a pilot (the person pedaling the bike), please contact Heather Allen at hallen@veronawi.gov or call 608-497-2076. 

New businesses and developments 

A new year means new developments in Hometown USA. 

Ian’s Pizza anticipates a spring 2026 opening in the Mill District Apartments on West Verona Avenue. 

Wisconsin Brewing Company is under construction for a new 14,497 square-foot canning storage building. 

Alders approved a development agreement for the Argus Apartments in October, a 60-unit affordable housing apartment complex located at 1050 North Edge Trail with commercial space on the first floor. 

The Press will continue to cover new developments and business features throughout 2026.