Building History

In the Fall of 1978 the Square Dance community was informed that we would soon have to find a new home. The Square dance community formed a Building Committee to find a building for dancing. The Square dancers incorporated to form the Northern Lights Council of Dancers (NLCD). A metal Alyeska surplus building became available and was purchased by the NLCD.

Several plans were proposed using this building after a site committee procured permission to locate the building at Alaskaland. A committee was established to raise funds to erect and pay for the building. The committee decided to attempt a request for funds from the State. A proposal package was prepared and forwarded to the Legislature followed by a massive letter writing campaign which was successful.

Due to the fact that utilization of the metal building was not economically feasible, the metal building was sold and the funds added to the Building Fund.

During the interim period several thousand board feet of maple flooring were removed from a gym at Fort Wainwright, denailed and bundled, adding to our in-kind contributions.

In August of 1981 funds were made available from the State and the balance from the City of Fairbanks per capita funds. In September the Northern Lights Council of Dancers signed a construction contract with the City of Fairbanks to erect a building at Alaskaland (now Pioneer Park). This was followed with a design contract with Ellerbe Alaska and a Construction contract with Tate Construction Company. A ground breaking ceremony was held in September 1981 to begin the construction of the Farthest North Square and Round Dance Center Located at Pioneer Park.

As construction progressed a lease was negotiated, finalized and signed with the City of Fairbanks. This lease makes maintenance and operation of the building the responsibility of the Northern Lights Council of Dancers.

The building was turned over for beneficial occupancy about the 15th of February 1982, after which volunteer work parties put in 1050 man-hours painting the interior, installing the dance floor and installing floor covering. Kitchen cabinets were donated and installed by the square dancers.

The Square dancers have in excess of $60,000 in cash and in-kind contributions invested in the building. We owe a great deal to the Alaskaland Commission, the Mayor and the City Council for all their support and assistance.

The building continues to be maintained by the NLCD with funds received from member clubs for their use of the hall.