ATHENS, Georgia – Members of the community, Athens-Clarke County Officials, and the project team joined together on Thursday, April 28th to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Classic Center Arena.
Designed by global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will, the new arena is poised to better connect the downtown Athens community and provide large open plazas for those visiting the river area. The arena will be connected to the existing Classic Center, located adjacent to the Athens Warehouse Historic District, between Hickory Street and Foundry Street.
With the capacity to hold 8,500 people, this venue is expected to significantly increase the number of events Downtown Athens can offer to residents and visitors. The arena will be in use 300 days a year—according to Classic Center executive director Paul Carmer—and is expected to bring in 55 sporting events, 25 concerts, 15 conventions, 10 family shows, and 20 community events per year. The Classic Center has formally signed an agreement with an ECHL team that will soon call the arena home, and it will also provide a larger playing space for the University of Georgia Club Hockey team.
The Denver studio of Perkins&Will worked with commissioners and city officials to develop the contextually inspired design for the facility. The arena, which will be LEED Certified, features glass, metal paneling, and comes equipped with LED lights that can be programmed to glow a variety of different colors. The lower level of the Classic center will feature office space and shell space for future expansion. The concourse level is spacious with 38 concession stands and exhibits from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The upper level will feature 26 suites containing a total of 919 seats.
The arena is estimated to begin operations in the fall of 2023.
