Dan Stanley Honored for Leadership and Service with Spirit of Prior Lake Award

Dan Stanley was recognized Thursday evening for years of civic leadership, volunteer service, and investment in the Prior Lake community, receiving the Cora McQuestion Spirit of Prior Lake Award during Prior Lake Night at the St. Paul Saints game.

Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs and City Manager Jason Wedel presented the award to Stanley on the field at CHS Field. The recognition honored Stanley’s broad record of service, including his work with the Prior Lake Rotary Club, his leadership with the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce, and his role in downtown redevelopment projects.

The ceremony gave the community a public moment to recognize a resident whose work has touched local nonprofits, businesses, community events, and public spaces.

The award was presented during Prior Lake Night at CHS Field.

A community award rooted in service

The Cora McQuestion Spirit of Prior Lake Award recognizes people whose dedication and service have made a meaningful impact on the community.

Stanley was selected for a combination of civic leadership, business investment, and volunteer work. Those who nominated him described a leader who serves with humility, generosity, integrity, and a genuine desire to help others.

The award is not limited to one type of contribution. It reflects the many ways people help shape a city, through volunteer hours, local partnerships, business leadership, redevelopment, mentoring, and a willingness to step forward when community work needs steady hands.

For Stanley, those efforts have taken several forms over many years.

He has been involved in the Prior Lake Rotary Club, the Lakefront Music Fest concert series, the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and construction and redevelopment work connected to the city’s downtown. Each role reflects a different part of community life, but together they show a consistent pattern of service.

The Cora McQuestion Spirit of Prior Lake Award honors residents whose dedication and service leave a lasting mark on the community.

His business work has helped shape downtown Prior Lake

Professionally, Stanley is Owner & President of Stanley & Wencl Construction & Facility Services, LLC.

His impact in Prior Lake extends beyond his company’s day-to-day work. He has also been involved in redevelopment projects that are helping shape the future of the city’s downtown.

Among those efforts are the Railhead Building, home to Chula’s, and the transformation of the Prior Lake VFW.

These projects reflect a balance that many growing communities try to achieve. Cities want to preserve familiar character while creating spaces that can serve future needs. Downtown redevelopment can be especially sensitive because those areas often carry a community’s history, identity, and sense of place.

Stanley’s projects were cited as examples of work that supports that balance. The goal is not only construction, but also renewal, reuse, and long-term value for the community.

The Railhead Building brought new use to an important downtown location. The transformation of the Prior Lake VFW also represents investment in a place tied to local history and community gathering.