Soldotna opts for DIY with new flooring

The city of Soldotna has elected the ‘do-it-yourself’ fix to replace the damaged flooring used to cover the ice rink for events held at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex.

According to Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Carmichael’s proposal, his solution to replace the water damaged flooring will cost just under $28,000, in comparison to commercial ice rink covers which can cost anywhere from $130,000 to $200,000.

The council unanimously approved the ordinance allocating the funds for Carmichael to move forward with the flooring costs, which will cover 625 sheets of plywood, about 3,000 1×2 furring strips and 660 yards of carpet, in addition to carpeting the city already owns. Carmichael and his team will use these supplies to create an air space plywood flooring system that would be ready in time for the Taste of the Kenai on March 24.

“The price tag is significant,” said Interim City Manager Stephanie Queen. “But in terms of the events that we’re able to hold each year on top of the ice, we bring in about that much annually for the big events that occur. We’re about to do a quick turn around and do things like Taste of the Kenai, the fights and some of our bigger sports, rec and trade type shows. So, the revenue that the city earns from being able to do this pays off this investment rather quickly.”

Carmichael estimated the floors would last for six to eight years, but Carmichael said he didn’t expect the new system to experience water damage or warp, like the current system has.

“The last system was stacked and stored outside under tarps,” Carmichael said. “Indications are that this created a perfect storm whereby the insulation kept things cozy and the tarps held in any moisture presenting resulting in a hot house effect causing the water damage and warping. We now have a dry storage area in which the sheet good pieces can be stored.”

The new system will not be able to be driven on, Carmichael said, but the city works with several vendors that bring in their own equipment in that scenario. This is a trade-off that both Carmichael and the city seemed comfortable with while plans for a new field house addition to the Sports Complex are still up in the air.

“If we knew for sure the field house was a no-go the recommendation would be to heavily consider the more expensive commercial ice rink events cover as the rink would still be needed to accommodate the multitude of varied non ice events,” Carmichael said in a memo to city council. “That being said, though, if the field house is built, the need to use the rink when the ice is in will be almost eliminated. Thus, the lower cost hybrid system of air spaced plywood panels and additional 660 yards of carpet is recommended at this time.”

If the field house never becomes a reality, though, Carmichael said his department would be likely to request a sport court type surface to augment the airspace plywood system and allow for the city to host varied events and even events requiring a court like surface.

Council member Keith Baxter said that despite initial hesitation for the do-it-yourself method, the improved ambiance of carpeted flooring helped to sway him.

“I’m really excited to see carpet included,” Baxter said. “It’s going to make a big difference… I think due to the fact that we’ll be using carpet a little bit more under this proposal and that we may have something better coming in an expansion that (this option) is fiscally prudent.”

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com

More in News

A woman stands with her sign held up during a rally in support of Medicaid and South Peninsula Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer residents rally in support of South Peninsula Hospital and Medicaid

The community gathered on Wednesday in opposition to health care cuts that threaten rural hospitals.

Hunter Kirby holds up the hatchery king salmon he bagged during the one-day youth fishery on the Ninilchik River on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 in Ninilchik, Alaska. Photo by Mike Booz
Ninilchik River closed to sport fishing

The closure is in effect from June 23 through July 15.

Señor Panchos in Soldotna, Alaska, is closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna restaurant owner remains in ICE custody; federal charges dropped

Francisco Rodriguez-Rincon was accused of being in the country illegally and falsely claiming citizenship on a driver’s license application.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough to provide maximum funding for school district

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will receive less money from the state this year than it did last year.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School on Tuesday.
Pools, theaters, libraries in jeopardy as cuts loom

The district issued “notices of non-retention” to all its pool managers, library aides and theater technicians.

A sockeye salmon is pictured in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Fishing slow on Russian River, improving on Kenai

Northern Kenai fishing report for Tuesday, June 17.

Josiah Kelly, right, appears for a superior court arraignment at the Kenai Courthouse in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchor Point man accepts plea deal for November shootings

Buildings operated by a local health clinic and an addiction recovery nonprofit were targeted.

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Most Read