Su Valley health clinic breaks ground

SUNSHINE -- About 100 Talkeetna-area residents showed up for a potluck and ground breaking party for the Sunshine Community Health Center (SCHC) Sept. 21 at the clinic's property just off Talkeetna Spur Road.

SCHC has plans for a 12,000-square-foot facility and has raised 95 percent of the $4.6 million construction budget so far. While representatives from the major founders were there to put a ceremonial spade in the ground, Su Valley residents were also encouraged to bring shovels.

"We seriously considered handing everybody chainsaws instead of shovels, because we have a lot of trees that have to go, but we weren't sure if that was the right thing to do," said SCHC executive director Susan Mason-Bouterse.

"Because this has been a community project we wanted everybody to pitch in and help us. The first shovelfuls were dug by our major funders, and we asked everybody to join in. They all brought their own shovels, and they all started digging in at our hill."

The new clinic will be built on the 11.75-acre parcel which includes the flat gravel parking lot where SCHC occupies four temporary buildings. Mason-Bouterse said she couldn't have asked for better weather.

"It was almost like church in a way. The leaves were golden and falling and it was a beautiful sunny day. It was an exquisite day, an incredible turnout and a real highlight in our clinics history."

SCHC was founded in 1986. The current building drive started in June 2001. The campaign raised a mix of government and private foundation funds, including matching funds from local individuals and businesses.

Architectural services were contributed by Providence Health System in Alaska's Community Benefits Program, which helped secure a $2.56 million community facility grant from USDA. Federal funding in support of the USDA project was secured through an $849,000 grant from the Denali Commission, a federal/state partnership that is helping to build infrastructure throughout Alaska.

Among the private contributions were a $287,500 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, $100,000 from the Valley Healthy Communities program and $20,000 from the annual charity Waterfall Fishing Tournament, hosted by Senator Frank Murkowski and his wife, Nancy.

SCHC still has at least $240,000 remaining to raise for the project. Friends of the Clinic, a committee of community members and SCHC board directors, has undertaken a local fundraising campaign with the goal to raise $35,244, the amount necessary to satisfactorily meet the USDA matching funds requirements. The balance of funds needed for equipment will be sought through private foundations.