Wasilla chooses sports complex manager

WASILLA -- The city is going to the Mat-Su Borough for someone to manage its multi-million-dollar sports complex.

As of Oct. 7, Bruce Urban will officially leave the Mat-Su Borough's Department of Community Development and take on the title of Wasilla's recreation and cultural services manager. In this new position, Urban will head up Wasilla's new sports complex --a nearly $15-million facility slated to be completed in February 2004, that includes an indoor ice rink, an artificial turf arena and meeting rooms .

In addition to managing the complex, Urban will also be in charge of the city's museum, library and recreational services.

"Bruce is a natural fit for this position with the city of Wasilla," Mayor Dianne Keller said when announcing the hire. "He has worked with the different recreational groups in the Valley and has already established a working relationship with them. I really wanted a local individual for this position, and I think that Bruce will do a great job for us and for the Valley residents."

Urban has worked with the borough since 1983 coordinating and managing a variety of recreational programs including libraries, swimming pools and the borough gym.

But it was his 33 years of experience in managing ice rinks that seemed to be of particular interest to the city of Wasilla. In his role with the borough, Urban has been in charge of the Brett Memorial Ice Arena. In addition, he was previously the general manager of the Ben Boeke and Dempsey Anderson ice arenas in Anchorage, and has other ice management experience outside of Alaska prior to that.

"I am extremely excited to be involved with the operation of the new Wasilla multi-use sports complex," Urban said of why he accepted the position. "This facility, once completed, will be the premier indoor/outdoor sports facility in the entire state. This is an opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime, and I welcome the chance to be a part of it."

Urban will take over with the sports complex where Don Moore has left off. Moore was hired as the project's construction manager, and he resigned earlier this month. Moore has said that as the construction of the facility winds down, an operational manager will be critical in making upcoming decisions about the project.

"Mr. Moore also thought that Mr. Urban would be an asset for this position and will work closely with him to ensure the baton for this project is passed successfully," the mayor said in a press release.

Urban's new position with the city includes a $50,000 per year salary and benefits that bring the entire annual total to around $73,000.