Legislation aims to put more fans in the stands
Macon County’s state legislators are taking aim at policies that keep crowds small at sporting events and other large venue attractions.
Senate Bill 116, titled “Let Them Play and Let Us Watch”, was filed in the NC Senate on Feb. 18 and has since cleared several committees and passed its first three readings. If it becomes law, the bill will increase the allowed number of spectators at sporting events to 40 percent of their normal capacity. The difference felt by North Carolina residents may be even greater because of additional allowances for social distancing.
“For each outdoor facility, including a park, field or court, the number of spectators shall amount to no more than forty percent (40%) of the facility’s approved occupancy capacity under the fire code or, in the event the facility does not have an occupancy capacity under the fire code, no more than seven spectators for every 1,000 square feet,” reads the text of the bill’s second edition. “For outdoor sporting facilities that allow spectators to bring their own seats, individuals who sit in their own seats shall not count toward the limit on the number of spectators described in subdivision (1) of this section if those individuals maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and anyone outside of their family unit.”
District 50 state senator Kevin Corbin is a cosponsor on the bill, as well as the author of an untitled local bill that would bump those numbers up to 50 percent capacity in 11 rural counties including Macon County. Corbin says that existing restrictions on attendance at school sporting events were overbearing and student athletes and their families were suffering as a result.
“We were just wanting to get away from the fact that only 50 people could attend an Asheville football game, which is ridiculous when you have all that room available,” Corbin said. “You got to Lowe’s and the capacity is 550 people inside the building. You can’t tell me that people can’t safely distance at a football game or other large venues.”
District 120 state representative Karl Gillespie is a cosponsor for the companion bill in the NC House, House Bill 128. Gillespie believes that the science is on the side of allowing more attendance at games and that they’ll have no trouble finding support.
“This bill provides for some much needed increase in access of events,” Gillespie said. “I am hopeful that this bill will receive broad support as I think we all recognize that the current data justifies it.”
Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order last week that increased limits for attendance at sporting events to 30 percent, changing the game not only for schools but also for professional sports. Corbin says that the next legislative steps are being hammered out, but he’s happy to see that athletes will be playing for a crowd again one way or another.
“30 percent is a win for all of us,” Corbin said. “My local bill still calls for 50 percent, but we will see.”