The Sacramento Kings will get in on the pandemic relief efforts by allowing their old home to be used as a makeshift hospital.
After some speculation early in the week about the immediate future of the building, the Sacramento Kings announced that their former home will be turned in to a surge hospital to aid in the COVID-19 efforts.
The arena that was last known as Sleep Train Arena (but more famously known as ARCO) last hosted a Kings game in the spring of 2016. The building still stands out in Natomas, and the Kings have control of the site. There have been multiple rumors about what will be done with the property, and we now have an answer, at least for the short term.
In their official press release, the Kings announced the following:
"The hospital, which will house approximately 360 beds along with additional hospital services, will provide additional capacity for the Sacramento region in response to the expected surge in patients due to the COVID-19 health crisis."
In addition to the sliver of good news, the Kings organization will make two sizeable donations directly to the front lines of the fight against the virus. First, the organization will donate $250,000 “to support area community organizations providing essential services and supplies to families and individuals in need.”
On top of that, the team will also be donating 100,000 medical masks to state and local health agencies.
The issues that are facing the world and the immediate Sacramento area itself are difficult, but small rays of hope like this one are newsworthy and we’ll be sure to bring you any positive news as it breaks.