Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Central High School stands under clear skies in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Borough issues contract for new KCHS concession stand

The $733,000 contract covers the cost of the construction of a new building that’s 24 feet by 36 feet

A new concession building at Kenai Central High School will be constructed by Soldotna-based Eberline Building after approval of a contract by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly during their regular meeting on June 18.

Construction of a new concession stand at the school’s Ed Hollier Field was one of the projects described in a bond package approved by borough voters in 2022.

Eberline was one of four bidders for the project, and came in at around $733,000 to do the work of constructing a new concession building that’s 24 feet by 36 feet.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

During a Policies and Procedures Committee meeting ahead of the assembly’s approval, assembly member Brent Hibbert pushed back on the cost of the project, as well as another project already underway to rehabilitate the school’s parking lot by Foster Construction for around $650,000.

“I just don’t know how we can continue to pay these exorbitant prices for these buildings,” he said. “I can’t vote for this. I can’t vote for $848 a square foot. There’s not a house on this peninsula that’s built for that.”

Borough Mayor Peter Micciche responded that voters approved the bond and now the borough’s “hands are tied.”

“It’s too much,” he said. “It’s what it costs … we shouldn’t be building this stuff.”

Micciche said the borough has always prided itself on working with the private sector, but as high costs are coming back for projects and bids, they’re “not feeling as warm and fuzzy about that.”

The borough is pushing back on the prices, and is looking to get creative with solving problems, Micciche said. He suggested partnering with a construction academy.

The bond projects have been delayed, have seen work, but are still coming in at prices far higher than originally described by the bond.

“If we’re going to change that market, we’re going to have to do something extraordinary,” Micciche said. “I’m prepared to do that — hope you guys are prepared to support that.”

In the long term, Micciche said he wanted to see changes to the way that bond propositions are issued. He said the largest project in the 2022 bond, construction of a new Soldotna Elementary School, is being held off because the borough is $9 million short.

While the borough looks at changing “how we’re doing business,” Micciche said smaller projects like the concession stand need to be completed.

Ultimately, Micciche said he wants the borough to be ready to “say no, even for things that are voter supported.”

The contract was approved as part of the assembly’s consent agenda.

A full recording of the meeting can be found at kpb.legistar.com.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Amber Gall (left) and Rachael Kincaid (right) are South Peninsula Hospital's new Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro
South Peninsula Hospital names new leadership

South Peninsula Hospital’s former chief nursing officer has been named the new chief operating officer.

A sign directs the public toward a tsunami shelter in Seldovia, Alaska, on Sept. 27, 2021. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file)
Tsunami watch canceled for Resurrection Bay, Kachemak Bay communities

The watch followed an 8.7 earthquake that occurred Tuesday afternoon off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia.

A “Vote Here” sign directs voters to the voting station at Homer City Hall on Oct. 3, 2023, in Homer, Alaska. (Finn Heimbold/Homer News file photo)
Homer city election filing period opens Aug. 1

The deadline to file for candidacy is Aug. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Salutatorian Grace Kahn speaks during the Kenai Central High School graduation ceremony in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula represented by 3 in 2025 Summer of Heroes

The program spotlights Alaska youth driving change in their communities.

Rep. Andi Story (D-Juneau), Rep. Rebecca Himschoot (I-Sitka), and Rep. Sarah Vance (R-Homer) watch the vote tally during a veto override joint session on an education bill Tuesday, May 20. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy outlines priorities for special session

The Senate and House majority say the Legislature plans to consider two veto overrides.

Mount Marathon, seen July 4, 2022, in Seward, Alaska. (Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Swiss hiker rescued near Mount Marathon in Seward

The hiker said he’d climbed a mountain and gone beyond his ability

tease
‘All the kids are grand champions’

Kenai Peninsula 4-H shows off at Agriculture Expo

Soldotna City Council member Jordan Chilson and Soldotna Mayor Paul Whitney grill hot dogs at the Progress Days Block Party at Parker Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Progress Days block party keeps celebration going

Vendors, food trucks, carnival games and contests entertained hundreds

Children take candy from a resident of Heritage Place during the 68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘It feels so hometown’

68th Annual Soldotna Progress Days parade brings festivity to city streets

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in