Baranof Park overhaul closer to fundraising goal after bump from private donations

Kodiak’s Baranof Park received a sizable funding bump last month for its Recreation Center Improvements Project. Private donors chipped in $360,000 for the proposed overhaul, and the donations put the project $474,000 shy of its total fundraising goal of $3.8 million dollars. Corey Gronn is the director of Kodiak’s Parks and Recreation Department.

“We’re very close,” said Gronn. “We are still planning and anticipating on going out to bid here in the very near future and having construction this construction season.”

The development plans for Baranof Park encompass 4,500 square feet of new building, including new bathrooms and changing rooms. The ice rink will be enclosed, and a covered walking track will also be completed as part of the project. Gronn said the improvements will make the recreation center more of a multi-use, year-round community resource.

“As you can see this winter, it’s been extremely cold and lots of snow, lots of ice, we’re hoping that we just get folks that want to come just get some daily exercise and that just brings new people to the rec center.”

Friends of Baranof Park, the Kodiak Hockey League and the city are eyeing a mix of public and private funding to meet the project’s fundraising goal, with hopes to break ground on the Baranof Park expansion as early as May 1.