Nilavena Community Cultural & Visitors Center

Project Date: 2001 to 2005
Project Manager: Thea Agnew Bemben
Client: Bristol Bay Native Corporation
Location: Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark area

The Nilavena Tribal Consortium Community Cultural Center will be a multi-purpose and visitor information facility at the Iliamna Airport. It will be a gathering place for residents and visitors, providing tourism-related economic opportunities, training and education. This project is designed to serve the residents, businesses and visitors of the Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark area. Communities in the project area are Newhalen, Iliamna, Pedro Bay, Kokhanok, Nondalton, Port Alsworth, and Igiugig.

The Newhalen Village Council will develop and operate this project on behalf of the Nilavena Tribal Consortium. Two grants have been received from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) totaling $600,000. Additional funding is being applied for from the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) and the Rasmuson Foundation. These funds will be used to design and construct an approximately 2500 SF building, to include a visitor information desk, space for interpretive information related to cultural and natural history of the Lake Iliamna area, a multi-purpose space for meetings and other activities, and several offices.

Agnew::Beck has been involved with securing funds, assisting with securing site control and facility design.