SPOKANE, Wash. — After Spokane Hoopfest announced it would postponed the event until late August, Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz said large events remain a concern for public health officials.
Lutz said he could not speak to whether it would be feasible or safe to hold Hoopfest this summer amid the coronavirus crisis, adding that he does not "have a crystal ball."
"But my caveat is that, again, data will determine just how quickly we open," Lutz added.
Large events, including Hoopfest, remain a concern for Lutz and other public health leaders.
“I think many of us in public health are concerned about large numbers of people, especially large numbers of people coming from all parts of the country that may or may not have been infected and could potentially represent a new source of infection in our community," he said.
Lutz added that he appreciated Hoopfest's decision to postpone the event until Aug. 22-23.
"Hoopfest confirmed the postponement to August 22-23, however this announcement was made prematurely and inappropriately," a statement from Hoopfest leaders released on Wednesday morning reads.
Dr. Payal Kohli, a disease prevention expert, told KREM last week that the ability to hold concerts and large gatherings and travel without giving it a thought "is not going to happen in the near future." But there is hope that we can return to some parts of our lives as Washington state and other areas of the country flatten their curves.
“With this in mind, I think by this summer we could be optimistic that some of us could go back to our lives and that maybe we could have some sort of a new normal," Dr. Kohli said.
Mark Stark, the owner of David's Pizza in downtown Spokane, is concerned that fewer people will attend Hoopfest this year due to health concerns or guidelines.
“It's our biggest day is when Hoopfest is played,” he said. “It’s not only a huge part of the reason that David's is in business, but the whole downtown corridor actually relies on Hoopfest."
He added that hearing about the event getting postponed makes him hope it won't be canceled later.
“It’s just one more thing I don't want to think about during this pandemic is losing Hoopfest," Starr said.
Earlier this month, Hoopfest leaders announced that they were moving forward with the July dates, but had reserved the August 22-23 as another option.
Hoopfest is still working out the details of the decision.
"The organization is still working through the logistics of postponement. This was leaked before the registration process was revamped to reflect the new and evolving COVID-19 situation," the website reads.
Hoopfest also announced modifications to its no refund policy with its announcement of a possible date change at the beginning of April. Event organizers said those who have registered would be given the option to keep their registration, request a full refund or donate the registration to support the Hoopfest organization.
20-year Hoopfest veteran: 'Hoopfest is like the Christmas of basketball'
Austin Damon has been playing in Hoopfest for about two decades, and describes the event as one of his favorite times of the year.
"I would say my favorite days of the year are Christmas and Thanksgiving tied, and then Hoopfest. So Hoopfest is like the Christmas of Basketball," he said.
He's played with family members and college buddies in the Elite Division, and have faced-off against division powerhouse Lee and Hayes for the last few years.
"It's a great competitive outlet. It's such a blast and you get to win a game .Win or lose, you go get the snow cone right after the game," he said.
He'll really need that snow cone this year, with the tournament being pushed back until August.