Terms and Policies

The Details

Bison Hall is a beautiful 6000 square foot barn-like building with a high vaulted ceiling that showcases wood beams, a moose antler chandelier, and large windows that allow natural light to flow in. Bison Hall is available for rent throughout the year. Hall rental includes rental of the facility all day, from opening until 11PM at night. It also includes admission to the sanctuary for all your guests to enjoy the wildlife during your event, however, at AWCC closing time, we ask that your guests stay near Bison Hall.

The rental fee for Bison Hall for the day during the summer months is $3,000 for 1-75 guests, and $4,500 for 76-150 guests. The rental fee for Bison Hall for the day during the winter months is $2,500 for 1-75 guests, and $4,000 for 76-150 guests. The summer season is May 1st – September 30th, and the winter season is October 1st – April 30th. To reserve Bison Hall, there is a $1000 deposit to lock in your date, which is non-refundable.

The cost includes the use of the building for the entire day, admission into the center for all your guests, tables, chairs, garbage cans, 2 flat screen TV’s, portable speaker and microphone. Bison Hall capacity is 170, but 150 or less is best.

As we are a non-profit, all the proceeds from your event go straight back to helping Alaska’s wildlife!

If you rent Bison Hall then you can use the Point, with gazebo, for no extra charge for a maximum of 60 minutes. Where the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center meets the waters of Turnagain Arm, one of the most scenic places in Alaska unfolds – The Point. With wood bison and elk on one side and views of the water, mountains, and glaciers all around, AWCC offers a gazebo and boardwalk for family reunions and wedding couples to take breathtaking photos.

Please note that we have preferred caterers, which means you must use one of our preferred caterers as they are aware of the center’s rules and have been working with us for several years. Please visit https://bisonhall.org/preferred-caterers/ for details. The caterers also provide the alcohol sales, as well as provide the table linens and center pieces, upon request.

We also have wildlife presentation add-on for an additional $500, which is a 30-minute wildlife presentation with either a reindeer or a porcupine. It is a great way to get photos of you and your guests with the wildlife!

We encourage you to come by and do a free tour of Bison Hall (advanced reservation required) if you have not done so already. Email events@alaskawildlife.org to set-up a site tour.

Deposits

A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required along with the initialed and signed Agreement in order to reserve a rental date for AWCC facilities. AWCC cannot reserve a date and time without a signed Agreement and deposit.

Cancellations

• Cancellations must be made in writing 90 days prior to the rental event in order to receive a refund. The deposit is non-refundable.
• Cancellations made with less than 45 days’ notice of event date will receive a 50% refund.
• Cancellations made with 7 days or less notice are non-refundable.
• A change of the rental date and/or times must be requested in writing at least 60 days prior to the original rental date. Requested new dates and/or times are subject to availability. Only one rental date change is allowed per deposit.
• Refunds of the remaining booking costs paid may be made if the event is canceled in writing with at least 90 days’ notice prior to rental date. Otherwise, rental times reserved or services requested that are not utilized are not eligible for a refund.
• Weather conditions do not warrant a refund.

To cancel your facility rental please call the Director of Sales & Marketing at 907-783-0058 x 8 or email events@alaskawildlife.org.

The Point Policies

• Available Year Round
• If you rent Bison Hall then you can use the Point, with gazebo, for no extra charge for a maximum of 60 minutes, including set up and tear down.
• There are no restrooms, electricity, running water or other services at the Point other than the boardwalk and the Gazebo.
• Food and drinks/alcohol are not permitted at The Point.
• Elopements at The Point can be booked 30 days in advance.
• The Point Elopement price is $21.50 per person, in addition to the cost of admission, for up to 20 guests. You have access to the point for 1 hour, including set up and tear down.

Site Visit Policies

• Available Year Round by appointment only.
• The first 2 site visits/facility inspections are free of charge. Additional inspections will incur a fee of $35 for each half hour.

Bison Hall and AWCC Rules and Regulations

• DO NOT TOUCH OR FEED THE ANIMALS!
• Make sure all children are kept away from fences.
• Never attempt to pet or hand-feed any animals.
• Leave all plants and flowers for the enjoyment of others.
• Litter is a deadly hazard to animals. Put garbage in its proper place.
• Keep pets in your vehicle at all times.
• Respect the animals. Do not taunt or harass them.
• Décor must be attached with tape or string. No nails, tacks or duct tape are permitted in any facility. Decorations may not be hung from light fixtures or sprinklers.
• No glitter, sand, stickers, confetti, beads or candles with open flame allowed.
• At an additional $500 cost, AWCC will remove decorations, linens, lighting, etc. of event.
• Fireworks, firearms, drones, noisemakers, party poppers, firecrackers are all prohibited on AWCC property. These items may agitate or scare the animals and will be confiscated on sight.
• Confetti and glitter are prohibited.
• Flameless candles are permitted; all other candles are prohibited.
• Live animals are prohibited on AWCC property with the exception of service animals. Advanced notice must be given if service animals are expected with event guests.
• AWCC is a nonsmoking wildlife sanctuary. Smoking is prohibited on all AWCC property.