Jump to content

Akins Ford Arena

Coordinates: 33°57′40.1″N 83°22′14.9″W / 33.961139°N 83.370806°W / 33.961139; -83.370806
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Classic Center Arena)
Akins Ford Arena
Map
Former namesClassic Center Arena (2022–2024)
LocationAthens, Georgia
Coordinates33°57′40.1″N 83°22′14.9″W / 33.961139°N 83.370806°W / 33.961139; -83.370806
Public transitAthens Transit
at Athens Multimodal Transportation Center
OwnerUnified Government of Athens Clarke County
OperatorClassic Center Authority
Capacity8,500 (in the round concerts)
7,000 (end-stage concerts)
5,500 (hockey)
Construction
Broke groundApril 28, 2022
Construction cost$146 million
ArchitectPerkins&Will and Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart
Project managerImpact Construction Management
General contractorJ. E. Dunn Construction Group
Tenants
UGA Ice Dawgs (2024–present)
Athens Rock Lobsters (FPHL) (2024–present)

Akins Ford Arena is an indoor arena under-construction in Athens, Georgia.[1][2] It is part of the Classic Center complex and is intended as an upgrade to the Classic Center Grand Ballroom, which had been configured as a 2,000-seat arena. It will become the new home of the UGA Ice Dawgs of the College Hockey South conference and on March 28, 2024, it was announced it would be home to an FPHL expansion team,[3] later named the Athens Rock Lobsters. It will have a capacity of 8,500. Opening is planned for Spring 2024. It is owned by the Unified Government of Athens Clarke County.

History

[edit]

In January 2019, the Classic Center Authority announced their intent to construct the new Classic Center Arena adjacent to the existing site.[4] The arena will be connected to the existing Classic Center, the Multimodal Transportation Center and the downtown district via a new elevated walkway.

On August 20, 2024, it was announced that Akins Ford, of Winder, Georgia, had purchased the arena's naming rights for an undisclosed period and sum.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Classic Center Asks for Downtown Tax District to Fund Arena". Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Facility Map".
  3. ^ "Hockey fever in Georgia: New pro team coming to Athens". Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "03: Classic Center Arena Project | Athens-Clarke County, GA - Official Website". www.accgov.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  5. ^ Dennis, Ryne. "Classic Center Arena announces official name for hockey and concert venue". Online Athens. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
[edit]