City built for athletes requires more than 100 tents

By Sue Hegarty

For employees of Lincoln Tent Inc. of Lincoln, Neb., building a Special Olympics Town for the 2010 USA National Games in July may have felt a bit like an episode of “The Amazing Race.” The event required more than 100 tents at 11 venues, including golf courses, soccer fields, tennis courts and University of Nebraska facilities. Streets were closed and a “village” was built where athletes could mingle with fans. Tents were provided for food, merchandise and celebrities, as well as a tented stage for music. Clearspan structures circled the perimeter of the village and smaller frame tents were used by food vendors. And the company ensured that the installations would withstand the 60 mph winds that blew through town, says Lincoln Tent president Tom Miller.