Sleep Train Arena Alternate Care Facility
What was once the home of the Sacramento Kings, the Sleep Train Arena in Natomas, has been taking overflow COVID-19 patients. It was outfitted as a local field hospital in April of this year in order to accommodate surges in coronavirus cases. It recently began seeing patients.
It is not clear how many patients are currently housed at the facility. During the week of December 17, 2020, it was reported that 13 beds out of 244 were occupied. The alternate facility can also be used for non-COVID patients.
Sleep Train Arena is one of 11 surge sites in California. Together, the alternate facilities have approximately 1,800 beds equipped for the overflow of patients expected with the spike in cases of coronavirus. The state agency overseeing the alternate care facilities had activated 20 of the 244 beds at Sleep Train for patient care, but now that more than half of those beds are filled, more beds could be activated. Especially since many hospitals throughout the state are running at or near capacity to treat the most severe COVID cases.
The History of Sleep Train Arena
When it was a pro basketball venue, Sleep Train Arena was infamous for being one of the loudest arenas in the NBA. It was originally called Arco Arena (many locals still refer to the site by that name) and was home to the Sacramento Kings for more than 15 years after it opened in 1988. This followed the 1985 relocation of the Kings from their prior home in Kansas City to Sacramento.
The arena was constructed to replace the prior, temporary home for the Kings, which had a seating capacity of only 13,000 – not big enough to house an NBA franchise.
Arco Arena, where the Kings played beginning in their 1988-89 season, had a seating capacity of over 17,000. It included 412 club seats as well as 30 luxury seats. The arena was also home to the Skyline Restaurant. Over the years, it became apparent that the building lacked many other amenities that other more modern arenas had, and as such, it became difficult to maintain season ticket holders.
Pushes to secure funding for a new arena swirled through the Sacramento area for years. The poor economy and the inability to secure such funding nearly resulted in the Kings moving to Anaheim during the 2012-13 season.
In March 2011, Power Balance, LLC purchased naming rights for the arena, and it was renamed Power Balance Pavilion. It was renamed again in 2013 when a Rocklin-based mattress company purchased naming rights. Since that time, it has been called Sleep Train Arena.
Significant Moments at Sleep Train Arena
Here are some of the NBA highlights that took place at Arco/Sleep Train Arena:
- In 2002, the Kings were robbed of the NBA championship due to terrible calls by the referees. Many believe the game was fixed. Sacramento will never forget.
- In April 2003, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz both played their last game at Arco, and when they were leaving the court toward the end of the game, the Sacramento crowd stood to give their team’s two respectable rivals a standing ovation.
- On October 29, 2003, Lebron James made his NBA debut against the Kings at Arco Arena.
Watch the YouTube video documenting the biggest tragedy of the NBA when the Sacramento Kings were robbed of the win in the 2002 Western Conference finals.
Natomas Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Natomas, California. Unfortunately, Highway 80 is the setting for many car accidents. Negligent drivers operate vehicles all over our region. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. If you have questions about the legal process, call to speak with one of our injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400. We are happy to offer free and friendly advice. If you live outside the local area code, please use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400, or fill out our online form.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/basketball-referee-game-orange-885786/
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