The public is invited to give input on building a commercial kitchen in the Chilkat Center.
The Foundation of the Chilkat Center for the Arts is planning to renovate the kitchen and is holding a public meeting to preview several designs that range from $60,000 to $180,000.
Lorrie Dudzik, foundation vice president, said the commercial kitchen remodel has been a long-term goal for the board. They hired an architectural designer to come up with four remodel options.
“We are going to get entirely new equipment in the kitchen,” Dudzik said. “Depending upon what people decide, we will either expand the building out or make some changes to the interior of the building. Obviously, the interior changes would be the least expensive and pushing the walls out and making it a larger kitchen would be the most expensive, but also clearly the best option.”
Dudzik said the Chilkat Center lobby has been increasingly used for dinner theaters, conferences, plays and other parties, and a commercial kitchen would benefit those events.
“Originally our current kitchen was planned as a support for concessions,” Dudzik said. “It’s not up to standard for the banquets and the major events that the Chilkat Center recently hosted. We would like to have people come and tell us what they think.”
The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. where people can look at the designs and provide input.
The foundation has about $20,000 saved and will apply for grants and hold fundraising events to pay for the remodel.