In a proactive effort to minimize the Coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure, the West Plains Civic Center has taken a recommendation from national, state, and local public health officials – including the Howell County Health Department – and will immediately suspend any events with an estimated attendance of 250 or more people at the Civic Center.
This order goes into effect immediately and will last through March 31, 2020, unless the City deems it necessary to extend the suspension.
“We recognize that this decision affects our many visitors and valued customers at the Civic Center, and for some promoters it will create immense hardship,” said City Administrator Tom Stehn. “But our top priority must be the health and well-being of our community, and we feel this is absolutely the right thing to do.”
The Civic Center and the City of West Plains are taking these actions out of an abundance of caution to safeguard the health and safety of the general public, Civic Center and Missouri State University-West Plains staff, and all visitors to the Civic Center. The City has continued communication with local and national public health officials, and is taking these precautions due to public health concerns surrounding large-scale events.
The postponed events include:
BrewFest (March 14), America’s Best Pageant (March 14), the Cystic Fibrosis Concert (March 21), Joe & Nick’s VCR Party (March 24), and the John Conlee Show (March 26). The Catholic Youth Conference (March 25-27) will be canceled for the year.
In each case, the Civic Center will work with the individual promoters to find alternative dates after March to hold their events, and to answer any questions they may have in order to reschedule.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this very challenging time,” said Stehn. “This is now a global crisis, and we want to do everything we can do protect our citizens.”
