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Aurora Borealis Rotaract
ROTARACT CLUB OF INTERIOR ALASKA
PO BOX 84919 FAIRBANKS, AK 99708
Plan in works to replace ice houses at Chena Lake
By Tim Mowry
After vandals burned down five ice fishing housees at Chena Lake last week, including two that the borough Department of Parks and Recreation rents out to the public, Jennifer Yuhas at the Alaska Outdoor Council was not a happy camper.
"I think a lot of people feel like they've had their own back yard attacked when they read about the fires," Yuhas wrote in an e-mail.
So she began rubbing the sticks together and it wasn’t long until she had a plan cooking to not only replace the two rental ice houses at Chena Lakes Recreation Area, but to build to additional rental huts for the lake.
In a matter of a few days, Yuhas had rallied several groups to the case and had already set a date for a work day this summer to build the new ice houses.
In addition to the Alaska Outdoor Council, other groups who are pitching in time, labor and financial support are the Midnight Sun Flycasters, the Tanana Valley Sportsman's Association and the Aurora Borealis Rotaract Club.
"Everyone involved is really jazzed," said Yuhas. "I think this is a terrific opportunity to show the vandals that our community values our fishing heritage and supports family values."
Materials for the ice fishing houses will cost around $4,000 each and Yuhas is still working on drumming up financial contributions.
One idea is to get sponsors for the houses. Sponsors could pay for a whole house or part of a house and would be recognized by having their name or company logo displayed on the house, though she is still working out those details with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
While the project already has plenty of volunteers to help build the houses, financial contributions are still needed, Yuhas said. Donations can be made to the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fund (the 501(C)3 sister corporation to the AOC) and can be sent to P.O. Box 73902, Fairbanks, AK, 99701. You can also contribute online at www.alaskaoutdoorcouncil.org.
For more information about the project call the AOC at 455-4262.
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