Commission backs ordinance to accept pavilion donated by Kenai Peninsula Soccer Club

The Kenai Parks and Recreation Commission on Oct. 2 voted to recommend that city council introduce and later approve Ordinance 3488‑2025, which would accept a pavilion donated by the Kenai Peninsula Soccer Club and formalize ownership and use via a memorandum of understanding.

A staff report said the soccer club requested permission more than a year ago to give a pavilion at the city soccer fields and subsequently secured state lottery funding to build it. Parks staff reported the pavilion has a timber‑frame design intended to match existing city park structures and is valued at about $55,000.

Under the proposed ordinance and a separate MOU, the city would take full ownership and responsibility for maintenance. Staff told commissioners the donation would “clean up” prior informal arrangements — for example, clarifying that the city would not be required to rebuild the pavilion if storm damage or vandalism required its removal and that the city would have authority to relocate or remove the structure at its discretion. The club will remain the primary user of the adjacent fields but will not be charged rent specifically for the pavilion under the proposed agreement, staff said.

Commissioners expressed support for the cooperative project and for the MOU’s clarity on maintenance, location and ownership. A motion to recommend council approval of the ordinance was moved and seconded; the motion passed by unanimous consent.

Staff said the soccer club also consulted city staff on the pavilion design to better match the look and code compliance of the city’s other pavilions. Parks staff noted maintenance demands for pavilions are typically limited to graffiti removal and occasional painting.

The commission’s recommendation forwards the ordinance to city council; staff said the club plans to attend a future council meeting to present the donation in person.