Former Wasilla mayor weighs in on city of Wasilla's call to no longer have Alaska Combat Entertainment events at the Menard Sports Center

WASILLA — Alaska Combat Entertainment, formally known as Tuesday Night Fights, is no longer allowed at the Menard Sports Center, prompting owner Billy Christensen and a wave of community members to speak during the public comment portion of the regularly scheduled Wasilla City Council meeting Monday, Aug. 8.

Christensen and various community members addressed the council on the matter during a previous city council meeting July 25. He returned with an even larger crowd of supporters during the Aug. 8 meeting. Numerous members of the community showed up to defend ACE and all that it has stood for over the last decade of operation, including former Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright.

“It is good for the community overall,” Rupright said.

Rupright said that ACE started during his time as Wasilla Mayor and it’s been a good program for the community. He said that not allowing ACE to operate out of the Menard Center is a huge financial loss for the city.

“I urge you to allow this to continue to operate. The more use that center gets, the better. That has always been a discussion in the city, and I’m fully in support of it,” Rupright said.

Rupright said that he wrote a letter in defense of ACE, noting that Christensen mentored his daughter in boxing before she joined the U.S. Army.

“She learned an awful lot about discipline and sportsmanship from Mr. Christensen. I think it’s key because it is a healthy activity. People aren’t in there getting into mayhem,” Rupright said. “To really discriminate, we don’t want the boxing in here. We just want a sportsman show. Things like that just don’t make sense from an economic point of view or a fundamental fairness point of view for use of a public facility that’s open for rent.”

When it was Christensen’s turn to speak, he said that many people are in the dark as to why they aren’t allowed to operate out of the Menard Center anymore. He said that it took him a long time to get any answers and one of the reasons was having minors at the show. He said that the Alaska statute allows minors at 21 and over events as long as they are accompanied by an adult, and they haven’t violated any kind of law.

“There is no legitimate reason why,” Christensen said.

Fallen Up Ministries President Mark Weaver said that he’s attended a large number of the ACE events and participated as a judge on numerous occasions over the years. He said they’ve all been very strategic in ensuring the event is a family-friendly venue. He noted that it’s also been an important asset to locals in the recovery community. He said whether it’s as a fighter or spectator, ACE has been a helpful tool for recovery and bringing people together

“To me, I think it’s a travesty that one of the largest draws for sporting entertainment just not be allowed,” Weaver said. “I’m just here to weigh in on that, and I would just like us to find some solutions and move forward. I just truly believe it’s a benefit health-wise for the community.”

Wasilla Mayor Glenda Ledford thanked all those who spoke during the Aug. 8 meeting.

“I appreciate all of you coming in and voicing your concerns,” Ledford said.

Ledford said that she couldn’t comment on the decision to ban ACE from the Menard Center. She said that she cannot speak to Christensen directly about the matter because the city could face a lawsuit. She said that she takes advice from the council and the citizens when it comes to matters such as these.

“The citizens of this city elected me to protect this city to the best of my ability,” Ledford said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com