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.

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.