Karen Stroh, shelter manager at the LeeShore Center, shows guests around the shelter’s recently remodeled kitchen Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

Karen Stroh, shelter manager at the LeeShore Center, shows guests around the shelter’s recently remodeled kitchen Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

LeeShore unveils remodel thanks to statewide shelter rehab project

The remodel to Kenai’s LeeShore Center kitchen and other upgrades at the shelter are thanks to a project that targeted deferred maintenance at 17 shelters around Alaska. The state put up $2 million, which was matched by the Rasmuson Foundation. Several other organizations and entities also made contributions for a total of more than $4.2 million for much-needed renovations in the shelters, according to LeeShore staff.

Shelter Manager Karen Stroh said the updated kitchen with a bigger island, new floor and walk-in refrigerator and freezer makes all the difference when up to 32 people (the shelter’s capacity) are using it on a daily basis.

Education Coordinator Barbara Waters said LeeShore saw 160 clients in fiscal year 2016 — 103 women and 73 children. They stayed for a total of 7,516 bed nights in the building that is coming up on 32 years old, she said.

In addition to the remodeled kitchen, the project money allocated to LeeShore paid for a new laundry facility, new toilets and upgraded doors and security. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

The kitchen in Kenai’s LeeShore Center, pictured here during an open house Thursday, March 9, 2017, was recently remodeled thanks to a statewide project to address deferred maintenance at 17 domestic violence shelters across Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

The kitchen in Kenai’s LeeShore Center, pictured here during an open house Thursday, March 9, 2017, was recently remodeled thanks to a statewide project to address deferred maintenance at 17 domestic violence shelters across Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

More in News

Concert-goers listen to The Discopians at Concert on the Lawn on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Karen Hornaday Park in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
‘Dancing at the end of the world’

KBBI AM 890 hosted their annual Concert on the Lawn Saturday.

Lisa Gabriel unfurls a set beach seine during a test fishery for the gear near Clam Gulch, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seine test fishery continues after board of fish calls for more data

The east side setnet fishery has been entirely closed in recent years to protect Kenai River king salmon

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $395,000 capital plan

This year’s list of capital projects is “nominal compared to some past years,” according to officials.

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Nets are extended from North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A really good day’

Kenai River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery opens.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna is seen here on June 1. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to consider ordinance to increase residential property tax exemption

If approved by voters in October, the ordinance would increase the tax exemption by $25,000.

Most Read