For the first time in more than 75 years, the University of Kentucky is hosting a Thursday night football game. The nationally televised contest is expected to impact thousands of area residents.
UK football is normally only played on Saturdays. But On Thursday October 15, the Wildcats will host the Auburn Tigers in an evening game. Mayor Jim Gray says asking for those affected for their patience. “A lot of patience," added Gray. "Chief (Barnard) said a little bit of patience, I would say a lot of patience.”
?The combination of football fans, Keeneland visitors, and downtown rush hour traffic is bound to cause quite a jam. In addition, UK Police Chief Joe Monroe says UK students and employees who park in the stadium lot will need to find another spot. “Those students and employees who park in the areas normally restricted for game day credentialed parking will be accommodated in a variety of parking facilities that we’ve acquired off campus,” said Monroe.
University officials say shuttles will be available to take students and employees back and forth to off-site lots.
City Police Chief Mark Barnard says students who normally park at Commonwealth Stadium will have to look for alternative spaces and he's asking them to choose carefully. “You know that there’s gonna be some parking that's gonna go over into the neighborhoods," he said. "We’re asking students, if you’re doing that be careful with the signage, because the residents that live in those neighborhoods expect to have their streets freed up.”
In addition, the University of Kentucky Hospital sits nearby to Commonwealth Stadium. UK Healthcare Chief Administrative Officer Ann Smith says caring for patients cannot be compromised. “We’re aware as everyone in the region is that game day parking will cause temporary inconveniences," Smith said. "We understand that our patients need us to work, to report to work as usual.”
Mayor Gray says it’s a one-time event so, with patience and maybe some alternative routes, Lexington citizens can get through it.
