Alaska Airlines Center houses typhoon evacuees and UAA games

UAA’s Alaska Airlines Center, or AAC, is housing approximately 320 displaced people from Western Alaska. Seawolf Athletics also continues to hold games in the AAC.

Typhoon Halong devastated Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta villages, which left around 1,500 people displaced. One woman has died from the typhoon and at least two other people are reported missing as of Oct. 14. 

Displaced residents are staying in the auxiliary gym in the AAC, while sports games and practices are held in other sections of the building.

The Northern Light spoke with UAA Director of Athletics Tanya Pont and discussed the decision to continue hosting sporting events. 

Pont said that the university worked with the Red Cross, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the State of Alaska to balance the well-being of displaced residents and student athletics events.

Pont said the displaced residents are offered free admissions to sports games at the AAC.

While the displaced residents have been housed in the AAC, Athletics hosted a volleyball “Pack The House” game. The goal of “Pack The House” games is to bring in a large crowd to support the team. 

The contract for the residents staying at the AAC ends on Oct. 31, Pont said. 

A press release from the Division of Homeland Security on Oct. 26 stated that residents would be transitioned to non-congregate housing — such as hotels — following the end of the AAC contract.