Kenai council approves $10,380 matching grant for Triumphant Theater paving and landscaping

The Kenai City Council on April 1 enacted Ordinance 3509-2026 to increase estimated revenues and appropriate $10,380 in the General Fund as matching funds for a grant to the Alaska Children's Institute doing business as Triumphant Theater for parking lot paving and landscaping.

Briar Oden, speaking on behalf of the theater, told council the Richard and Diane Block Foundation of Anchorage was prepared to contribute about $40,000 toward the project if the city approved the local match. "The Richard and Diane Block Foundation of Anchorage is standing by to send Triumphant Theater a check for $40,000 to complete the paving of our facility if our request is approved by the city tonight," Oden read from a submitted letter.

Council members expressed support for the appropriation, noting the city regularly budgets for community youth and storefront improvements. Vice Mayor Askin moved to enact the ordinance and the motion received a second; the clerk recorded seven yes votes and Ordinance 3509-2026 was enacted.

What the ordinance does: it provides $10,380 of city matching funds to allow Triumphant Theater to secure the larger private contribution for paving and landscaping. The council did not attach additional conditions during the April 1 vote.

Next steps: the administration will process the appropriation and related grant paperwork so the theater can receive the matching funds and the private contribution can be applied to construction work.