Corbin arena damaged during weekend Super Pull event

Officials say damage caused to Corbin’s 5,000-seat arena by a runaway vehicle participating in this past weekend’s Inaugural Bluegrass Super Pull will be costly to repair, but shouldn’t inhibit the facility from hosting scheduled events on its current calendar.

Cliff Clinger, General Manager of The Arena at David L. Williamsburg Southeast Kentucky Ag and Expo Center, said Monday that the accident happened on the last night of the three-day event, which ran Nov. 12-14. The Bluegrass Super Pull featured tractors, diesel trucks, late model vehicles and modified cars.

"We did over 400 runs over the three days and that one particular run got away," Clinger said. Competitors in the different categories pulled weighted sleds across the dirt in a competition of speed and distance.

"It went up to the sand barrier the promoter had in place and into the railing. There was no one sitting in that section at the time. It was blocked off as a safety zone so no one, including the driver, was hurt."

The accident happened some time after 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

The railing at the end of The Arena farthest away from the service entrance was broken and torn loose from the reinforced concrete wall in which it is embedded.

Larry Siler, Maintenance Supervisor at The Arena, said a portion of the wall would likely have to be replaced. Repairs, he said, are estimated to cost between $10,000 and $15,000.

Clinger noted that all promoters who rent The Arena are required to provide proof of insurance that names the city of Corbin and The Arena as insured during the time the facility will be used.

Officials say that arrangements will be made to temporarily fix or restrict access to the damaged area in advance of this Saturday’s Coal Classic – a one-day pre-season showcase of 16 area high school boys’ basketball teams who will play eight games at the facility starting at 8:30 a.m.

"We will just work it out," Clinger said. "Eventually, it will be repaired like it was before, but we will come up with some temporary solution for the Coal Classic. It will look better than it does now."

Though rare, Clinger said facilities like The Arena do suffer damage from events.

"The promoters weren’t seeking to damage anything. This was a true competition event. It’s just something that happens from time to time."