HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 1979-167~ --~- _ - T ~ -~ _ • • --- ---wr-
rr;-
7
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 79-167
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
INDICATING A WILLINGNESS TO ADMINISTER FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION
AND MANAGEMENT OF A CIVIC CENTER FACILITY.
WBEREAS, the State of Alaska, Department of Commerce and
Economic Development has funds available to award grants
to municipalities for the construction of Alaskan Cultural
Faci2ities, and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska must receive assurances that
the municipality will administer funds for construction
and that the municipality will maintain the facility after
construction, and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Renai desires that a
Civic Center be built in Kenai for the benefit of all
citizens of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF KENAI, ALASKA that the City is willing to administer
funds for construction and management of a Civic Center
facility.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA this
19th day of December, 1979.
~ ~- ~~~-~
/
VINCENT O REILLY, MAY
ATTEST:
~ ~ ~.~a1.~zw
• J t Whelan, City Clerk
~ ~ 7 _~__
F ~ - -
~ 3.::..-~.,~:
_-~ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ~' .r_ _ ___ _~ --~s _ ,._-_ _~ --~
~ r
December i2; 1919
SUMMARY STATEMENT CULTURAL/CIVIC CENTER FOR KENAI
The need for a Cultural/Civic Center in Kenai has t~r.en recognized for many years.
A bond issue was passed in 1971 addressing this need, but due to diverse
circumstances at City and State levels, fLnds were never available for this ..
purpose, leaving citizens with a library only.
Needs as presently assessed.include:
1. An Aud i tori um
2. A Museum
3. A Visual Arts Area
4. Meeting Rooms
~
Present facilities in Kenai are either non-existent or physically inadequate and/
' or technically outmoded.
i - Performing Arts
. Currently, Kenai Cenxral High School Gymnasium is used for most performing arts
presentations, with scheduling a major problem since this facility is used for
competitive sports events, practice schedules, and cortmunity adult recreation.
For performing arts groups, acoustics are inadequate, proper lighting is
impossible, and seating for the audience is back-breaking. Performances must
be scheduled far in advance, and often require last-minute re-shuffling with on-
going school activities. The Little Theatre at the high school accomodates only
~ 140 people, which makes it useless for visiting performing.groups, since our
+ audience in attendance is usually in excess of 300 people. Last year, eleven
performances were scheduled in the high school gym by Central Peninsula Concert
Association, with attendance at on~ performance exceeding 700 people.
The Kenai Performers have been inactive because of lack of performance art facilities.
The Peninsula Dancers continue to present an annual performance in spite of lack of a
theatre.
It is planned that a medium-sized theatre with fixed seats for 600 people ad3oin a
flat-floor "forum" area with telescoping mechanized seat banks capable of holding
an additional 400 people. This multi-purpose pavillion could be used for banquets,
group conferences, trade shows, art fairs, dinner theatre, and square dancing. A
caterer's kitchen enables this area to be used for a variety of public functions,
even at the same time tne theatre is being used in the adjacent area. A moveable
wall unit would close off this multi-purpose area from the auditorium visually as
well as acoustically.
The Museum
At the present time, there is no museum in Kenai. Heritage items are on display in
the Senior Citizen Center, upstairs in the Old Fort Kenay Building. It is inadequate
in size (approximately 700 square feet), is not adequately protected with fire
humidity controls and safekeeping of irreplaceable articles is in constant jeopardy.
Floor space is so inadequate there that donations of museum pieces and artifacts is
impossible at this time, there is simply no place to put them. This make-shift
- ,_ _ ~ ,~ _~ ~ ~ -- --a,.
-, ,-
S~manary Statement Cultural/ December 12, 1919
Civic Center for Kenai (Cont'd)
Page 2
The Museum (Cont'd)
f
museum is housed 3ointly with the Senior Citizen Coordinator, v~ho occupies part of
the floor space. It is not accessible by ramp by handicapped persons, although
there is a lifter for Senior Citizens to be hoisted from the center below. However,
when the downstairs room is closed, an exterior stairway is the only way to reach
the upstairs area. Kenai is such a historic place, a mus~um riould offer both residents
and visitors alike a glimpse into the past as we11 as providing a safe place for
heritage ob3ects.
Visual Arts
The Kenai Fine Arts Center (the old City Firehall) is presently available for use by
cultural groups. Fourteen arts and crafts workshops were held there during the past
year, involving both thildren and adults. A gallery is open throughout the year, but
since the gallery space is needed for art classes, this presents the problem of
shifting standards, re-hanging pictures, and re-structuring for every activity.
However, this is not the major problem, the building is uninsulated and is extremely
cold during winter months when it i~ needed most. The pottery room is also extremely
cold, is not equipped v~ith a sink and is not properly vented for firing pottery. In
spite of these adverse conditions, there is a waiting list of people in the comnunity
who want to take pottery classes.
Benefit to Community
Employment and business opportunities would increase by doubling the potential
visi*_~r ~ourism business and extending the season.
Opportunities to attract plays, concerts, art shows and specific talent to the
community would expand.
The economic stimulus due to increased revenues from gatherings such as conventions
would help defray maintenance and operation costs of the civic center.
Ecanamic long-term gains would be evidenced if ne~o industries felt that our
cortmunity was a more desirable place to live, work, and play. Thus, the center
would be an investment in the future.
Maintenance and Stafting After Construction
The City intends to appoint a board of trustees from non-profit organizations in
the comaunit~ to name or create a non-profit organization to operate the facility.
Revenues from activities will accrue to this non-profit organization to be avaiiable
far n~ai~tenancP, staffinn ar~ programming costs of the facili#y.
The City of Kenai accepts the ultimate responsibility of maintaining the facility.
Should revenues from activities be insufficient to operate the facility, the City
will provide funds as necessary to assure continued operation.
~
harles A. Brown, Acting City Manager