WASILLA — The city is cooking up something big at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex.

Wasilla City Council has approved a $1.2 million contract with Howdie Inc. to construct an emergency kitchen at the facility. Construction is expected to begin in late April or May and could be completed by October.

“First and foremost, the purpose of the kitchen is that if we, in fact, have a disaster in the area we will have a kitchen where we can provide meals,” said Bruce Urban, the city’s recreation and cultural services manager. Urban said the kitchen will be similar to those typically used in schools, were simple meals can be prepared and cooked. The addition won’t be as extensive as kitchens in a typical restaurant, but it will serve as staging area were food can be brought in to meet the emergency needs of the community.

The addition of an emergency kitchen part of the city’s original goal to make the sports complex a multi-use building, Urban said. In addition to serving as a sports venue, the city has wanted to develop the building as an emergency evacuation shelter since its conception, he said.

Although the kitchen was been part of the original plan, Urban said funding for that part of the project wasn’t available when the complex was constructed. Now, the state has stepped in and provided a series of grants to pay for the addition. When the kitchen is complete, the complex will qualify as a emergency shelter.

Wasilla Mayor Dianne M. Keller said the city plans to work with the Mat-Su branch of the Red Cross to establish the complex as the main emergency shelter for the city and surrounding areas.

“I think it’s going to be a huge benefit if we have a disaster,” Keller said. “Now we’ll have all the services in one location to meet the needs of those displaced individuals.”

Along with helping residents impacted by disasters, Keller said using the sports complex will help reduce the impact disasters could have on local schools. Typically, schools are used as staging areas, which often disrupts the educational process. With the sports complex available as a shelter, students will be able to return to school and normalcy soon after an event.

Nancy Hall, district manager of the Red Cross’ Mat-Su office, shares a similar view on the usefulness of the sports complex, and said it will be an ideal emergency shelter once the kitchen is built.

When the Miller’s Reach fire swept thorough the Houston area in 1996, hundreds of people had to seek refuge at local schools, she said. In 2006, residents living near the Little Susitna River were also forced to retreat to schools and community centers to escape rising floodwaters. With the addition of the sports center as an emergency shelter, the Red Cross can be less reliant on Valley schools.

Typically, prospective shelters should include a few key elements like showers, kitchens and separated rooms, Hall said. The latter are usually used to provide services like areas for children to play games and socialize away from other emergency relief efforts.

The kitchen will also help round out the center for other events as well, she said.

“I’m sure it’s going to help the community,” Hall said. “Not just in emergency preparedness, but to help with large events. That will be a big asset to the community.”

In addition to serving as a emergency kitchen, Hall, Keller and Urban agree the addition will provide more opportunities for users of the complex. For example, groups that use the facility on a regular basis, like hockey and soccer teams, will be able to hold food-oriented fundraisers. The addition also opens the door for banquets to be held at the complex.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or at 352-2284.