Denali center a cool project for Borough

A renewed effort to establish the South Denali Visitor Center is gaining steam and would be a welcome addition to the long list of Mat-Su Borough recreation destinations.

What’s different about the South Denali plan, which proposes to put a visitor center and trail system in the southern part of Denali State Park, is that it would also be a winter destination for visitors. At an estimated $36 million, the project as proposed is an exciting and appropriate addition to any itinerary. Besides the anticipated benefit of bringing more visitor money to Willow and Talkeetna, South Denali Visitor Center would give those visiting from Anchorage a day trip that would be hard to beat.

During a meeting with Frontiersman editorial staff on Friday, Mat-Su Borough Manager John Duffy could hardly contain his excitement over the South Denali Visitor Center project. As the discussion progressed, it was easy to see why he’s so excited. Discussion at a recent Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting was about how the area needs to develop more winter destinations to promote the Valley as a year-round place to play. Along with development of a ski area at Hatcher Pass, the South Denali project seems a perfect fit.

Nothing is more Alaskan than Denali and a new visitor center and trail system in the southern part of the park encourages more visitors while still offering the outdoors experience many expect and crave when visiting the Alaska wilderness. And while the center would be operated and paid for mostly through federal and state funding, the Mat-Su Borough is fortunate to be the doorstep to this new adventure.

Even more exciting is this project, which has spent some 40 years on the drawing table, is closer to being realized than ever. Environmental studies are complete and funding is being sought. Even more important, and one of the reasons Duffy is so pleased with the plan, is how the players have designed a recreation and exploration destination that doesn’t commercialize or dilute one of the most majestic and pristine natural wonders of North America — Denali. The center is expected to feature sweeping viewscapes of Mt. McKinley and the surrounding wilderness while the trail system will encourage a variety of fun during any season.

Duffy pondered the future when visitors could come from Anchorage on a planned ferry to Port MacKenzie, then hop on a snowmachine and ride the local trail system to the South Denali Visitor Center.

“How hot is that?” Duffy said.

It’s smokin’.