A plan to bring the National High School Finals Rodeo next month is denied by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department based on the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Pat Lopez, interim director, says the length of time and the number of visitors are the main concern.
“This would result bringing thousands of people from dozens of states and potentially countries together.”
City officials expected 7 to 10 thousand people to attend which is double the size of public gatherings allowed by the directed health measure.
“But when you look at the sheer magnitude and the number that would be attending the event and the risk it would present to our community, it wouldn’t be plausible in this situation,” Lopez says.
The Lancaster County Events Center was notified their plan wouldn’t fit correct criteria last night.
The decision then spurred questions bout the return of Husker football.
“Everyone remains hopeful. We certainly see the direct relationship between the success of the university and the success of our city,” Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln’s mayor said.
Gaylor Baird said conversations between the city and the university haven’t begun.
“What we have to keep in mind of course is that the health of our students, the health of our athletes and the health of our community – all of those are important to our economic recovery…we need both.”
The mayor says there is an ongoing dialogue with President Ted Carter but didn’t offer a timeline on the decision.
Officials say decisions about large events are made on an individual basis.