Mat-Su could have new bingo hall by the fall

WASILLA — If approved by Wasilla’s city council, the Mat-Su Valley could have a new bingo hall by this fall. The city’s planning commission gave the project a thumbs-up at its June 13 meeting.

Sandra Powers, spokeswoman for the planned Big Valley Bingo Hall, attended the meeting to discuss plans to convert the former Mat-Su Cinema on Parks Highway into a new bingo facility. The approximate 12,000 square foot facility has been closed since 2011 and sits on 2.52 acres in the Carson Plaza subdivision.

During discussion, the commission heard the project had met all recommended conditions for the conversion and that no property owners within a 1,200 foot radius objected to it. Further, no objections were lodged during the required public hearings. Powers, also involved with the operations at Tudor Bingo in Anchorage, said the project has a great team on-board. To date, it has 15 different contractors involved.

“We have a commitment to the community to use any contractors we can that are Wasilla-based,” Powers told the commission. She said once the facility is up and running, currently planned for the start of October, she expected the creation of 20 new jobs. Powers also noted that, like the Anchorage hall, Big Valley Bingo will support eligible local organizations which support the local community.

“We’ve already been talking to MyHouse and Big Lake Lions,” Powers said. “We currently have the Anchorage bingo where we support the Mat-Su Miners. We don’t have a list of other (non-profits) yet.”

According to the Tudor Bingo website, it has given back more than $26 million to Southcentral charities over the past two dozen years. Some of the almost 50 benefactors include: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Anchorage branch, Alaska Peace Officers Association (APOA), Alaska Special Olympics and Food Bank of America.

During discussion, Commissioner Simon Brown said he is impressed with the way the project has progressed and is also pleased with the working relationship between all involved parties. Prior to voting on the item, John Powers asked the commissioners when the last time any of them had played bingo was and invited each of them to visit the Anchorage complex to see how everything functions.

The project received unanimous endorsement from the commission which will forward its recommendation to the Wasilla City Council for final approval.