New Tudor Bingo Center Underway
ANCHORAGE , Alaska—More than 70 people gathered Tuesday, Aug. 20 to break ground on a new Tudor Bingo Center in Anchorage. Construction of the project will commence this month and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2014.
The groundbreaking was held at the 2.75-acre site for the project, located on East Tudor Road between New Seward Highway and Shelikof Street. The event featured an official gold shovel groundbreaking ceremony and speeches by representatives from Tudor Bingo, Sitnasuak Native Corp. and Pfeffer Development, LLC. Anchorage East Rotary Club representative and former Mayor of Anchorage Rick Mystrom served as the master of ceremonies.
The new bingo center will be approximately 19,000 square feet. Once through the central entrance canopy, clean lines and a 15-foot-high ceiling will create an inviting atmosphere ideal for efficiency as well as an entertaining gaming experience. A new kitchen and large customer counter area will provide enhanced access to food service options.
Since its founding 20 years ago, Tudor Bingo has raised more than $21 million for nonprofits in the Alaskan community. It supports Special Olympics Alaska, Alaska Muscular Dystrophy Association, Spenard Lions Club, and the Rotary Club of Anchorage East, among many other organizations. Tudor Bingo's new building is expected to be the most state-of-the-art bingo facility in Alaska.
During the program, Tudor Bingo owner John Powers spoke in memory of his brother, Jack Powers, who was the founder of Tudor Bingo. He also honored Jack by displaying his photo at the event.
"Jack worked very hard to build up a high level of customer service at Tudor Bingo," said Powers. "Our tremendous employees work hard to continue his legacy and set an exemplary standard of customer service."
The developer for the project is Nanuaq Development, a joint venture between Sitnasuak Native Corp. and Pfeffer Development. Sitnasuak Native Corp. is the largest of the 16 village corporations in the Bering Straits region and headquartered in Nome. Pfeffer Development is an Alaska-based commercial real estate developer.
"We're excited to kick off this new joint venture with Sitnasuak Native Corporation," said Mark Pfeffer, president of Pfeffer Development. "The development process we are utilizing guarantees price and delivery date up front, which minimizes the risk of the project."
Nanuaq is working with local companies on the development, including design-builder Criterion General Inc. and kpb architects, with project financing from Northrim Bank. Upon completion, Pfeffer Development will be the property manager of the building.
In addition to teaming together on the new facility, Tudor Bingo is proud to announce a new partnership with the Sitnasuak Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation that funds scholarships to Sitnasuak shareholders and other Alaskan applicants. David Hoffman, Sitnasuak Native Corp. chief executive officer, spoke about the foundation during the program.
"For 30 years we've provided scholarships, and now we are expanding into other cultural and educational programs," said Hoffman. "We look forward to this new relationship with Tudor Bingo because we will be able to do even more to enrich the lives of shareholders and other Alaskans."
Pfeffer Development press release