27.0°

Kenai Mayor Pat Porter remembers the Kenai Armory in its early days.

"I moved here in 1969 and when I moved here the National Guard armory was a little shack that probably cost somebody $200 to put up," Porter said Wednesday afternoon before cutting the ribbon to open the armory's brand new section.

Wednesday's ribbon cutting ceremony marked the grand opening of the armory's $1.8 million addition.

The upgrades to the facility include a larger classroom, improved technology and computer equipment, blast grade windows that meet anti-terrorism standards and a modernized kitchen.

"This increases our capacity to train here," said Brigadier General Tom Katkus, referring to the larger workspace and ability to serve quality meals. Twenty soldiers are based in the armory.

The 12,000-square-foot area is also LEED certified and energy efficient, according to Katkus.

In his speech at the ribbon cutting, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Dave Carey praised the National Guard's efforts.

"One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. Some Americans take these words for granted. I do not. It is indeed our birthright and it's also our obligation," Carey said.

"Every member of the National Guard forever observes and recognizes these obligations and responsibilities so that the rest of us can enjoy our privileges and benefits."

Porter said she is pleased to see the armory expand to its current size.

"I'm so proud that the armory is located in the city of Kenai," she said. "We're honored to have it grow from the little shack that it used to be right over there to the facility it is now."

Reporter Andrew Waite can be reached at andrew.waite@peninsulaclarion.com