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Community leaders, UAF and vendors warn Assembly against closing Carlson Center

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Summary

UAF, event promoters, sports and community groups told the assembly that the Carlson Center drives cultural, economic and athletic activity across the borough and that closing or repurposing it would displace UAF hockey, trade shows and community events.

Representatives from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, event promoters and multiple community organizations urged the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly to preserve the Carlson Center during Thursday’s budget public hearing, saying the arena and exhibit space host sports, conferences and cultural gatherings that generate local spending and community activity.

“The Carlson Center is more than just an arena. It's a cornerstone of Fairbanks,” Marissa Sharrrah, associate athletic director at UAF, said during public testimony. She told the assembly the arena seats more people than other local venues and that recent renovations signaled community investment in the facility.

Multiple users described concrete economic and community roles the…

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