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The people of Kenai enjoy a comfortable, easy-paced life-style. With a variety of churches, community organizations, schools, housing and family-centered facilities, residents have a wide choice of activities to improve the quality of their lives.

Population

The residential choices in the Kenai area range from an urban setting with all comforts of city living, to a wilderness environment with cabins on the “homestead”.

Kenai has a young population which value family, independence, and a strong connection with its senior citizens. The Kenai Senior Citizens Center, as well as Vintage Pointe, a 40-unit residential independent living facility overlooking the Kenai River, is sponsored by the City of Kenai. The Senior Center serves as an advocacy group for all seniors over 60 years of age and provides services that include congregate and home-delivered meals, recreational activities and health screening. The Center and its valuable programs are a pride of our community.

Culture

Culturally, Kenai has a strong commitment to the arts. One of the finest (1,000 seat) auditoriums in the Pacific Northwest is a part of the Kenai Central High School building complex. Local theater groups and many regional and national performers have played there. The Kenai Potters Guild and Kenai Art Guild hold exhibits, annual shows and classes at the City of Kenai Fine Arts Center. Kenai Performers is consistently involved in the community providing education on the performing arts through live theater and music. In addition, the Kenai Bicentennial Visitors & Cultural Center offers year-round displays of local fish and wildlife from king-sized salmon to musk ox, and a wide array of Alaska’s feathered friends. Visitors in the summer experience an annual themed contemporary art exhibition, historical and cultural interpretive programs, movies and a wealth of information. The center hosts several community events throughout the year, as its space is versatile and accommodating for all occasions.

Education

Photo by Eric Massey

Family-centered activities are often held at one of the six schools within the City. Along with a community schools program, several private schools, preschools and daycare centers, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District offers one of the best public school programs in the nations. For those individuals wishing to continue their education without leaving the area, the Kenai Peninsula College, a division of the University of Alaska, offers day and night classes and an extensive schedule of courses. The Challenger Learning Center of Alaska opened in April 2000 in Kenai. It is the 39th of 51 centers in the Challenger Learning Center for Space Science Education network and was created as a statewide project to meet the educational needs of students in Kenai and in Alaska. Using simulated space missions, distance education and hands-on workshops, the Challenger Learning Center inspires students in grades 4-12 to develop an interest in math, science and technology and to consider careers in these fields.

Serving the Central Peninsula area, the Kenai Community Library has a large collection of Alaskana for history buffs, as well as books, periodicals, CDs, DVDs, and video tapes. The library also boasts a garden featuring native plants; a magazine reading area with large picture windows; and free internet access. The library is open seven days a week to better serve the residents of Kenai, summer visitors and the expended central peninsula.
 

Community Services

Vital statistics and court cases are processed by the Kenai District Courthouse. The courts handle District and Superior level cases as well as traffic, civil, probate and criminal disputes.

Over fifty different denominations of churches are represented in the local area. Many church organizations are also active in the community and welcome new members and visitors to regular services. Additionally, local chapters of national organizations such as United Way are situated in Kenai along with service groups like the Rotary Club, the Loyal Order of Moose, Kenai Peninsula American Legion the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Kenai Elks Lodge, Kenai Lions Club and many others.

This combination of community services, community spirit, and a leisurely life-style account for Kenai’s steady growth and the contentment of its people.

Kenai Real Estate Professionals (link to real estate category members)