Alaska Railroad Turns Down Ice Alaska Proposal

The Alaska Railroad Corp. has rejected Ice Alaska’s bid to buy 30 acres off Phillips Field Road where it has hosted the World Ice Art Championships for the past 15 years.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Apr 26, 2011 at 3:49 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Apr 26, 2011 at 3:49 PM AKDT

 FAIRBANKS — The Alaska Railroad Corp. has rejected Ice Alaska’s bid to buy 30 acres off Phillips Field Road where it has hosted the World Ice Art Championships for the past 15 years.

Ice Alaska Chairman Dick Brickley said buying the land is the only option for continuing the ice park, but other Fairbanks-area organizations also want to host the event.

Brickley made a $4.1 million offer two weeks ago, which came as a surprise to railroad leaders. Ice Alaska proposed using a $1.7 million state grant to the borough and a $2.4 million loan by Spirit of Alaska credit union. Neither source of funding was guaranteed.

The state-owned railroad responded in a letter Friday that it did not consider Ice Alaska’s proposal a “bona fide offer” because it was contingent on funds that “may not ever materialize.”

Two other groups — Christmas in Ice of North Pole, and the Tanana Valley Fair Association — are competing for the state grant and the rights to host the World Ice Art Championships. 

The Alaska Railroad letter did not mention a price and did not express a desire to sell.

Contact staff writer Molly Rettig at 459-7590.

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Thomas Nusunginya said on Tuesday, Apr 26 at 6:57 PM

We all enjoy such events...but I know with utmost certainty that a railroad to Umiat in the National Petroleum reserve Alaska would be better for the State and the North Slope Borough...at least more economical to run and keep this area alot more restricted than a road would.

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