When the state is in need, The University of Kentucky is here to help the Commonwealth.

That’s always been the case and continues to be during this unprecedented time in our history as Kentucky announced on Friday that Nutter Field House, the school’s indoor football facility and track and field arena, will be converted into a 400-bed field hospital in preparation for any overflow of coronavirus patients the state has in the days and weeks to come.

Following this news, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton issued the following statement:

“The University of Kentucky always comes through for Lexington and for Kentucky when we need them. At this time of national crisis, UK is stepping up, once again, to provide the health care we need. We’ve been working & planning w/our medical community so we can meet the need… the demand we know is coming for medical care as number of COVID-19 cases grows. Today, The University of Kentucky is taking us much closer to our goal by opening a field hospital Nutter Field House.”

If you needed any more reason to stay indoors and practice safe distancing, this news should do it as The University of Kentucky is showing just how serious of a situation the Bluegrass State could soon find itself in.