Soldotna opts not to buy Birch Ridge Golf Course

  • By Kelly Sullivan
  • Wednesday, April 23, 2014 9:34pm
  • News

The Soldotna City Council on Wednesday turned down the possibility of purchasing the Birch Ridge Golf Course, ending a community-wide discussion that began in October.

The resolution instructing City Manager Mark Dixson to negotiate an agreement for the purchase of the Birch Ridge Golf Course land and water rights failed 4 to 2, with Linda Murphy and Pete Sprague voting in favor. 

Once again the subject of the potential purchase filled the council meeting room, which was cleared out within moments of the resolution failing.

“Just because this has been voted down doesn’t mean we’re not willing to work with you (the Cowans) and see if there isn’t a solution out there that we haven’t looked at,” said Dixson, facing Pat Cowan and a few supporters who remained until the end of the meeting.

Paul Whitney, who voted against the resolution, said it was a tough decision for him as part of organizations that supported the resolution, and knowing members in the audience.

Murphy, who had introduced the resolution, said she felt the failed resolution would be the death knell for the golf course, and the council had passed up a chance simply to see what negotiation and terms were even possible.

The council also unanimously passed a resolution approving a contract with the Peninsula Construction Inc. for the Binkley Street road rehabilitation construction project for the amount for $3,447,235.14. 

More in News

The Alaska Board of Fisheries hears public testimony at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Feb. 18, 1999. (M. Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion file)
Board of Fisheries again declines to hold Upper Cook Inlet meeting on Kenai Peninsula

The State Board of Fisheries this week rejected calls from the Kenai… Continue reading

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski takes a selfie with Rose Burke at the Kenai Municipal Airport in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Burke won the 2024 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest and will travel to Washington, D.C., in December to light the tree. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Connections student to light U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

Rose Burke, 9, won the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree essay contest and will travel to Washington D.C.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Soldotna man arrested for possession of child sex abuse material

He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility

A cruise ship is docked in Seward, Alaska on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward gets nearly $46 million for power upgrades at port

The funds are intended to transform Seward’s port into a “green port”

Troopers Joseph Miller Jr. and Jason Woodruff are seen in a screenshot from body camera footage taken in Kenai, Alaska, on May 24, 2024. (Photo provided by Alaska Department of Law)
Grand jury indicts 2 troopers on felony assault charge

The complaint cites both audio and body camera footage

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Escott named new chief of Soldotna Police

Stace Escott has been promoted to chief of the Soldotna Police Department,… Continue reading

Campaign signs fill a wall near Paradisos Restaurant in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Candidates spend big on radio advertising, print mailers in final weeks of campaign

Only a week before the general election on Nov. 5, candidates are… Continue reading

An Alaska Division of Elections Official Election Pamphlet rests on a desk in the Peninsula Clarion newsroom on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
When, where to vote in the 2024 general election

Tuesday is Election Day! Voters in the Kenai Peninsula Borough will head… Continue reading

Most Read