The city of Soldotna is requesting proposals to study possible improvements to the Soldotna Sports Center, said city manager Tom Boedeker. Those include expanding meeting space, covering the outdoor ice rink and adding an indoor field for activities such as soccer and baseball. Built with state and Central Peninsula General Hospital funds on land donated by the city, it will house the state public health nurse and a CPGH clinic. Additions could include team and activity rooms, showers, fire protection equipment, an enclosure and equipment to make permanent ice. If it finds funding, construction could begin next fall, said Bill Abbott, port and harbor director.
Homer hopes to fund construction with municipal revenue bonds and state and federal funds.
One impetus is that the Coast Guard plans to replace the Sedge in two years with a ship too big for the present Coast Guard berth at the dock. The new dock will be a U-shaped structure on steel pilings, with space for the new cutter and the load capacity for heavy cranes and freight. It will wrap around the existing dock, which the city plans to remodel for tourist traffic. It will receive state ferries, cruise ships and fuel for the Petro Marine Services terminal. Contact the web master at Peninsula Clarion Copyrighted by Peninsula Clarion, a Division of Morris Communications Privacy and terms of use.