The Soldotna City Council heard the Central Peninsula Health Foundation’s proposal to purchase Birch Ridge Golf Course this week.
President of the Foundation’s board Ed Krohn said keeping the golf course would be in line with their mission statement.
During the work session in Soldotna City Hall, many of the foundation’s board members discussed the proposal with the council, stating that the Birch Ridge Golf Course is “unbelievably unique” and that the charity events held at the course would be hard to schedule at the other two golf courses in the area.
Council Member Keith Baxter asked the Foundation if the $350,000 donation being asked for from the city could go farther if it were used directly towards helping patients versus purchasing the golf course.
Birch Ridge owners Pat and Myrna Cowan attended the work session; Pat is also the Vice President of the Central Peninsula Health Foundation and said they have considered other options in case the city does not choose to commit to the grant but he was encouraged by what he heard last night.
If the city allocated the $350,000 from the general fund, the Foundation would apply to other grant organizations for a matching amount. The Foundation has only requested funding from the city thus far.
No action was taken at the meeting and the city council stated they would consider the proposal.
