Construction Begins On UW-Superior’s Lake Superior Research Institute Floating Classroom

Construction Begins On UW-Superior’s Lake Superior Research Institute Floating Classroom

Rendering provided by UW-Superior

Living in the Northland provides some amazing natural surroundings and there's none bigger than Lake Superior. In the near future, students at the University of Wisconsin-Superior will be provided a truly unique educational opportunity involving the Great Lake.

After a year and a half of planning, the UWS Floating Classroom is entering the construction phase. The plan for a floating classroom became a reality after a successful fundraising campaign conducted by the UW-Superior Foundation.

According to their news release, the state-of-the-art catamaran designed with a hybrid engine will be used for education and research on Lake Superior. The UW-Superior Lake Superior Research Institute will operate the boat out of Superior.

“The floating classroom will be an important addition to our research and educational programs,” said Chancellor Renée Wachter. “Through the unwavering generosity of the Swenson Family Foundation, this contemporary multi-use vessel will be constructed and equipped completely with private funding.”

B105 logo
Get our free mobile app

This floating classroom sounds very impressive. The 65-foot aluminum catamaran will be 24-feet wide with a maximum capacity of 49 passengers. The main deck will have fully equipped wet and dry research labs, a moon pool opening, and fold-down diving platforms for sampling and analysis. A reinforced hull will allow operation in light winter conditions and the 4.6-foot draft will be operable in nearshore areas. A large classroom on the second deck with internet and communication technology will provide a flexible educational space.

The ship will be designed by Incat Crowther and built by Midship Marine in Harvey, Louisiana. It is slated to be completed in spring of 2024 and will be sailed to Superior after ice-out where it will be docked at the LSRI’s ballast water research facility at Montreal Pier.

Sold! Built By Duluth's Congdon Family, The Historic Lake Superior Home Listed For $1.1 Million

It's not too often that you have the opportunity to own a "Big Lake" Duluth property that is not only situated on 2 acres but also features 250 feet of "pristine Lake Superior shoreline." But, that is exactly what hit the market in the summer of 2022. What made this property even more intriguing is that it was built by the Condon family, a family with a very rich history in the Northland.

Built in 1971, this property is set back from London Road, which allows it to not only feature panoramic views of Lake Superior but there's plenty of privacy as it's also surrounded by dense woods.

This home totals 6,897 square feet, featuring 5 bedrooms and 7 baths. The 500+ square foot master suite features its own bathroom, fireplace, walk-in closet, attached sitting area, and an amazing Lake Superior view.

There's also a 400+ square foot kitchen that features St. Charles cabinetry and a breakfast nook.

Multiple fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, a formal dining room, a huge rec room, a 6-car garage, the list of amenities goes on and on.

The home hit the market for $1.1 million in August 2022. The new owners closed on the property on October 5, 2022, and they got a bit of a deal.

Take another look through the home and the last picture reveals the final sale price.

LEGO-Themed House Hits The Market In Wisconsin

Filed Under: education, Lake Superior, UW-Superior
Categories: Duluth / Superior News, Education, Featured

More From B105