Construction of a field house in Soldotna took a step forward last week, when the Soldotna City Council formally designated money it plans to use for the project. Per the ordinance passed by council members, the city must appropriate the bond proceeds before any project money can be spent.
Soldotna voters last October gave the city permission to incur up to $15 million in debt for the construction of a 42,000 square foot field house adjacent to the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.
The city opted earlier this year to issue bonds in two tranches, which will allow Soldotna to only pay interest on the tranche being actively spent on the project, according to a Feb. 23 memo from Soldotna Finance Director Melanie Imholte.
“This strategy allows the City (to) only pay interest on bond revenues that are currently needed rather than paying interest on bond revenues that will not be needed until sometime next year,” Imholte wrote.
When completed, the field house would feature a 215-foot-by-115-foot play area with removable turf that would allow for soccer, football and batting cages. The sports court could host wrestling, volleyball and roller derby.
The three-lane track on the second floor would be available for walkers and runners. Indoor recreation is in addition to the other activities the facility could facilitate, the city said, such as private parties, sports camps and trade shows.
Last week’s meeting of the Soldotna City Council can be streamed on the city’s website at soldotna.org.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
