The Soldotna City Council adopted a resolution to waive facility rental fees at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex, in partnership with Soldotna High School’s bid to host the 2024, 2025, and 2026 Division II ASAA State Hockey Championships.
A total of eight teams from around the state, including (minimum) five teams from outside the Kenai Peninsula, would travel to Soldotna for the three-day championship event. Members of the Council gave their support and offered some comments.
Council Member Dave Carey showed his support in the adoption of this resolution, stating that it will promote winter tourism and visitation which will support a healthy, year-round economy;
“This is another example of why we very much supported the idea of the Soldotna Field House, by having good facility being open to youth it brings in for all the business community in our area, as well as much wider, a good return. This is a really good activities; again it means our local people will not have to travel as much to come to this. It’s a really good thing for our city.”
Council Member Lisa Parker commented on increased revenue for Soldotna businesses;
“ I would echo councilman Carey’s comments. Having five teams from outside of the Kenai Peninsula coming here, filling the hotel rooms, and eating at the restaurants, seeing all the great things that we have to offer here is a wonderful opportunity. I hope that we are successful in our bid.”
Previously, the City of Soldotna twice partnered with Soldotna High School to host the ASAA Large School hockey championships, waiving fees to host the statewide hockey tournament. State tournament bids are considered in three-year blocks.
The City of Soldotna wishes to replicate this support by waiving normal fees for the use of the Soldotna Regional Sports Center in SoHi’s bid to again host the Division II state tournament.
