Electrical, water issues hinder high school rodeo finals in Lincoln for some visitors

Several attendees of the National High School Finals Rodeo that just wrapped up in Lincoln weren’t impressed with their experience. Social media complaints ranged from frustration about water issues to electrical outages at the Sandhills Global Event Center.

The rodeo wrapped up on Saturday with campers blasting their air conditioners through the 100 degree heat. Ron Bohaty, the managing director of the Sandhills Global Event Center, said the facility’s older campground area was upgraded with new breakers and panels about a year ago.

“Unfortunately, I don't believe all the work was completed the way it needed to be,” Bohaty said. “The primary reason for that outage was that the main breakers are programmable. They actually have a little digital screen on them. And they came from the factory at 400 amps, and they needed to be changed to 1,200 amps.”

Many campers tried to hook up 50-amp campers with multiple air conditioners to 30-amp ports. That combined with multiple days of extreme heat overloaded many of the circuits. He said Lincoln Electric System had to add voltage from its substation, because it was running at 150% capacity. Meanwhile, the on-site electrician had to turn off power for a portion of the campground to re-wire circuits to help handle the high load.

Around 2021, more than $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act money went to campsite construction and its electrical components. A recent Shovel-Ready Grant from the state Department of Economic Development added another $5 million. In part, those funds allowed the event center to remodel the restrooms, add several new HVAC units, upgrade a failing sewer system and to redo concrete, lighting and fans, Bohaty said.

“I think the money has been used effectively,” Lancaster County Commissioner Rick Vest said. “It has upgraded the facility enormously.” His district covers the area immediately west of the Sandhills Global Event Center.

Vest said he has full confidence that the event center, the Lancaster County Agricultural Society, which owns the facility, and the National High School Rodeo Association will all “learn from this years’ experience and be prepared to host an even more successful event in 2027.”

Several attendees also complained about standing water. Bohaty said the facility had to shut off some water lines to make repairs. That was after a hydrant was hit, which caused water to spray. Some competitors and their families may want a spigot at every campsite but that’s not reasonable, he said. Overall, he’s happy with the rodeo and how several competitors turned in great times.

“I believe that we gave them what they asked for on the arenas, to be able to be competitive with each other, and really show off what they can do and what they've worked for for many years growing up,” Bohaty said.

He said the event center is ready to host the rodeo again in 2027.