Thomas And Mack Center’s Two Bay Tunnel Design Sets Venue Apart To Host National Finals Rodeo; Friday’s First Performance Attendance Announced At 17,675
By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
The sound of a braying horse was clearly heard in the National Finals Rodeo media room during the emotional pre-rodeo activities that included a moment of silence for the two troopers killed on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas last week and the three UNLV professors shot to death in a mass shooting on campus here a mere two days ago.
The Super Bowl of Rodeos, as the NFR is referred to, uses UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center for its ten rounds of competition. Every night is a sellout, as was Friday’s announced crowd of 17,675.
And it’s no accident that media can hear horses’ neighs because the horses run on a layer of dirt in a bay tunnel that leads from the arena to outside the venue.
That’s because Thomas & Mack Center has not one but two major unloading bay tunnels in the building — a very specific design tailored to accommodate the NFR and the event’s livestock.
Here’s the two bays described in the Thomas & Mack specs:
While Las Vegas Events, which partners with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to put on the rodeo, takes a look at other sports venues being planned in Las Vegas as a potential future home for NFR, the fact is Thomas & Mack Center’s two loading bay tunnel openings makes the UNLV venue an ideal home for NFR.
LVSportsBiz.com spoke with Las Vegas Events President Tim Keener about proposed sports venues like the MLB Athletics stadium on the Strip and Oak View Group’s arena at Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road.
Keener explained that he needs to give due diligence to evaluating planned sports buildings in Las Vegas.
But he said Thomas & Mack’s two bay tunnels set the building apart from other venues for the National Finals Rodeo.
Plus, the UNLV recreation fields are used to care for NFR’s livestock.
Keener enjoys telling people that those fields have the best fertilized grass on campus.
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The NFR paid its respects to the two Nevada state troopers killed during an early-morning stop a week ago and the three UNLV professors killed during a shooting Wednesday.
“Life is fleeting,” the arena announcer said during the somber pre-rodeo remarks.
First responders were recognized and a prayer was said before the contestants began the competition in the first round.
