LINCOLN, Neb.—The Nebraska School Activities Association Board of Control has voted to move the state volleyball tournament to Grand Island and Hastings in 2010 and 2011.
Championship matches will be played at the 6,000-seat Heartland Events Center in Grand Island. Preliminary matches will be played at the event center in addition to Senior, Northwest and Central Catholic high schools in Grand Island and at Hastings High and Hastings College.
NSAA spokesman Jim Angele said Friday the Grand Island-Hastings bid offered free rental facility plus $12,000 to cover incidental costs.
Lincoln has been the tournament’s home since 1981. Lincoln’s bid included a $60,000 incentive, but the NSAA still would have had to pay almost $100,000 in rent at various facilities.
The vote was 4-2 in favor of the move.
The Heartland Events Center opened in 2006 with the hope of drawing major events to central Nebraska.
“That Tri-City area of Kearney, Hastings and Grand Island has been very, very aggressive with bids for NSAA state championships,” Angele said. “This time, with the way Grand Island came in with a no-cost rental bid, that’s something the board took a look at. Having a brand-new facility is something they’re willing to take a risk on.”
Grand Island-Hastings will be the tournament’s fourth home. Scottsbluff and Kearney hosted the event before Lincoln.
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler said the NSAA’s decision should strengthen his city’s resolve to build a new arena to replace the Pershing Center, one of the venues used for state volleyball.
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Nebraska School Activities Association:
