HDE is right, there is no quick way to get out of Harlan County, transportation is a major issue for the kids and their familes.

I know we are all referring to SOMEONE as the the Arena, but who is that SOMEONE?

 

Did the city of Corbin build the Arena or is there is a partner involved?

 

It's in the story ... Cliff Clinger is the manager of The Arena.

 

 

The Arena also has a web site, too. For all of the information.

Corbin already has a lot of my money with all the times I've stopped there, first going to EKU and then going to games for 20-plus years.

 

I'm going to let you buy the food with all that money you're saving by not traveling.

 

I'll buy yours, but not your cohorts.

Well according to the article, the Arena people already stated that parking would be an issue...???????????

 

Another question as I think about it, if it comes a light snow (one where the region wouldn't normally get cancelled) is there another way up to the Arena besides the one that is visible from I-75 that is straight up and not likely to afford cars an option to get up it?

The new Harlan County High School Gym is also Air Conditioned. Just as long as Harlan County High School Black Bears gets the 13th Regional Tournament every 4 years that is fine with me if the other schools want to go to Corbin the other three years for the tournament.

The Arena would be a fine place to play, every year except when Harlan County can host it.

 

The people who built the Arena in Corbin aren't the only ones who have built a nice arena to partake in. Harlan County has waited years and years and their hard work from their school administrators has finally paid dividends with the finist high school arena in the state.

 

I'm afraid politics will be at work here to get the region held at Corbin but as long as Harlan County can have it I'm fine with it. I do not feel like they owe each school money like they would be getting at the Arena either.

 

By the way parking isn't an issue at all these schools. North Laurel has plenty of spaces and they are not far off, same for Harlan County. Maybe whoever decides how big the gym has to be to host a region should also look into their parking situation, therefore, Knox Central and Bell County would be out.

It is going to be very hard to get all parties to come to a resolution that benefits #1 due to the vast amount of pros and cons that are involved.

 

Before it was decided that it is to be at the Arena, I would love for a public article detailing how the expense is to be paid to the schools, the arena, the crew, etc.

 

Small businesses in these far rural towns don't depend on regional tournaments but everything extra is beneficial to their existence and Corbin would be reaping all of that, including lodging, food, gas, court cost. LOL

 

If the region is going to continue to be at high school gyms Bell and KC deserve to have their turn as well. The parking will be better the next go around at Bell (which won't be for atleast 10 years or so) than this year because of the construction of the new vocational school.

HDE is right, there is no quick way to get out of Harlan County, transportation is a major issue for the kids and their familes.

 

That road goes both ways no quick way to get into HC either, transportation issues for alot more people when its at HC. The new HC gym is awsome, one of the best I've been in, but for all involved The Arena just makes more sense to me. As for food, gas, etc. if one thought Corbin already had enough money, eat or whatever in B'ville, London, Pineville or somewhere else. The Arena filled with loud, region basketball fans (5000 or 6000) of them would be a site to see for a high school athlete.

This is all about the schools that don't make the region getting in on the money. Looks like another case of just spreading the wealth with this little deal going down in the City of Corbin, but I guess that is the thing to do nowadays. The way I see it is the schools that don't make it to the region needs to get better, work harder. There is not a team in this region that can't make it to the regional tourney to get some money. I can't think of a team in the region that has not been to the tourney.

I see your point of view and if the arena was in Harlan I would probably share the same reservations based on travel, but in the end it comes down to every school in the region getting money, every fan being able to have a nice chair back seat, plenty of parking, teams being able to play in an arena not a gym and most importantly a neutral location where no team has any mental advantage. I know Corbin has been involved in 4 out of the last 5 regional championship games, but I would support the move if the Arena was located in London or Barbourville even Manchester or Pineville. Maybe they will move the Harlan School to the 14th and then everyone would be satisfied with the Arena. Other than a long travel distance for Harlan County, there is not a drawback. One thing that would be improved is the time needed to clear the gym.......20 minutes after one game is over the next would begin...that in itself would help greatly for the teams having to travel on school nights. There would be no need for an hour to clear the gym between games. If Harlan County can come up with the same money for each school regardless of making the region then I say let them host it in the future. The new gym is great. The schools there do a great job hosting events and if I recall correctly my Hounds have won the region in Harlan County a couple of times as well.......but I can not see them being able to do this unless they have some financial support that I am not aware of. I can promise you this structure was not built for the sole purpose of hosting a regional basketball tournament for Corbin High School.....lol.....Les is right. It is a business and it seems to have worked out pretty well for the 15th region. We are in the dark ages here in the 13th. Almost half the regions in the state are hosted at big locations and those regions, schools are reaping the benefits thus so are the students. The extra money will lighten fund raising, increase summer camp money and more than likely provide many things for all the area schools. The neutral fan will come out and watch due to the fact they can buy a ticket and have a sit, no waiting in line, calling someone you know, etc. It just makes too much sense.

This does not have anything to do with Harlan Co. I just would like to see them keep the regional the way it has been. Why change the tradition that has worked in the past. I also agree with Odessa, reward the schools with the money who make the regional. Nobody said this arena was built just for the regional, but Corbin would be the only TOWN to get the money coming in for the regional. :walk: I am walking away from this post I have made my points related to change is not the best option all the time; Like a fan getting a great seat or parking spot.:popcorn:

This does not have anything to do with Harlan Co. I just would like to see them keep the regional the way it has been. Why change the tradition that has worked in the past. I also agree with Odessa, reward the schools with the money who make the regional. Nobody said this arena was built just for the regional, but Corbin would be the only TOWN to get the money coming in for the regional. :walk: I am walking away from this post I have made my points related to change is not the best option all the time; Like a fan getting a great seat or parking spot.:popcorn:

 

I wonder how much money a "TOWN", would make, I've been to many regional tournments and 99% of the time I just go to the 2 games then home, its not like a regional brings in money to the town like going to Pigeon Forge does.

The new Harlan County High School Gym is also Air Conditioned. Just as long as Harlan County High School Black Bears gets the 13th Regional Tournament every 4 years that is fine with me if the other schools want to go to Corbin the other three years for the tournament.

 

Do you have a picture of Harlan Co. gym?

Harlan County Gym

I wonder how much money a "TOWN", would make, I've been to many regional tournments and 99% of the time I just go to the 2 games then home, its not like a regional brings in money to the town like going to Pigeon Forge does.

I told a story, I am going to make one more point. If this arena will attract more fans like people are saying because of size and parking; then if you have it their for the next 20 years it will bring more money to the town. I am not saying it will be like Pigeon Forge, but if it's true that the arena will bring a boat load of more fans to the games. Then more people will mean more money. I guess we could say everyone going to the game can not buy gas or eat in the city of Corbin.:lol: Also the above picture may be a little small compared to the arena, but it's just as nice and in my book it still takes the cake.

Harlan County Gym

 

The gym looks really nice!!!! :thumb:

 

It reminds me a lot of Knox Central's gym. Very nice and a facility the community can be proud of!

Harlan County Gym

 

Where are the side goals at?