PEEK AT THE PAST: March 3, 1983

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 27 years ago, from the March 3, 1983, issue of the Valley Frontiersman:

Borough out $7,000 on school site tests

A proposed elementary school for the Wasilla area won’t be build on the school district’s first choice of site. After spending $7,000 to gest a 30-acre parcel of land for its suitability to be a school site, the land is no longer available.

The district conducted soil tests on the land as a precursor to a possible purchase. The setback will push enginnering work and achitectural design back about three to five weeks as well.

Although the district’s first choice is now unavailable, negotiations have begun with the University of Alaska on an 80-acre parcel. After an executive session, the borough assembly voted 5-1 to deny a request for an additional $10,000 to conduct testing on the new parcel.

Osmar again wins

Junior Iditarod

Tim Osmar of Glam Gulch claimed his second straight Junior Ititarod Sled Dog Race title. He averaged 11.5 miles per hour during the 130-mile race from Knik to Yenta Station and became the first two-time winner in the race’s six-year history.

The 16-year-old cruised across the finish line at Settlers Bay, trimming almost 80 minutes off the record he set the previous year.

When he’s old enough in 1985, Osmar said he plans to run the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which is more than 1,000 miles from Wasilla to Nome.

Ice rinks are cool

Hockey fans addressed the Mat-Su Borough Assembly recently to learn about progress on building an indoor hockey rink in Wasilla.

Others attended the meeting to push for a rink at Palmer High School. If schedules hold, both groups may realize their dreams by late summer, borough manager Gary Thurlow said.

The Wasilla facility will begin construction in early summer at the corner of Bogard Road and Crusey Street and construction is expected to top $1 million, with another $500,000 from the Legislature.

For Palmer, the manager said $20,000 has been appropriated to help create an outdoor hockey rink, but that another $125,000 will be needed.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in March 1983 you could:

• Buy a furnace to heat up to 2,000 square feet for $886.

• Get a 1/3 horsepower shallow well pump for $179.

• Purchase a state-of-the-art Panasonic VHS video player and recorder for $475.

• Get a lunch special at Peking Chinese Restaurant for $4.25.

• Buy a new Chevy Suburban 4x4 for a base price of $11,428.95.

• Get a round-trip plane ticket to Seattle for $231.