Page 55 - Athens NCG 2024

already home to the UGA Ice Dawgs
and UGA women’s club hockey team.
Inside the new arena will be the
home of the Georgia Music Hall
of Fame, curated by UGA Special
Collections Libraries, holder of the
collections. Exhibits will showcase
Georgia’s musical legends with
interactive experiences, stories,
and significant pieces, such as
costumes from the Athens-based
B-52s musical group.
The new arena is bringing major
cheerleading and sports competitions,
arena, surrounding balcony views,
Athens has an incredible selection of and the availability of different sizes the Harlem Globetrotters and Disney on
music venues, but where can a national of suites. Ice 2025. More booking announcements
touring act perform when thousands The Classic Center already presents will be made after the opening date.
more seats are needed? This new arena about 600 events a year. This new arena “The most important part might
can attract 85% of touring bands with a will add 125+ events annually, resulting be what we talk about internally:
concert capacity of 7,000 people. in more than 300 additional event days Be Impressed,” said Cramer. In those
“Athens is an education town, a with larger attendance numbers. More two words he sums up the experiences
music town, a fun place,” said Paul than 600 jobs are anticipated. the hospitality team at The Classic
Cramer, President and CEO of The Cramer explained that initially Center want people to feel, and all
Classic Center, which currently includes everyone thought about building an within the excitement of the newly
a performing arts theater, conference outdoor amphitheater. But in the built environment.
center, and outdoor pavilion for summer, many resident students
concerts and sports. “Guests will and faculty leave town. Two studies
discover not only the arena, but all of mirrored each other by analyzing Community Grand
the other things that are coming in with the economic vitality of Athens and Opening: August 2024
this new development.” recommended a covered arena – where The Classic Center's mission is to
Opening in August, the $151 million an event could occur every day of enhance the quality of life in Athens-
arena, of which $34 million was the year, and which can have a more Clarke County while serving as the
provided by SPLOST (Special Purpose profound impact on the economy. In cultural, civic, and social center for the
Local Option Sales Tax) collections, fact, the studies related that things Southeast and generating maximum
embodies music, art, and education in happening around the arena may even economic impact.
Athens on a larger scale. be bigger. The Classic Center and Arena
The Classic Center launched “The whole plaza on the outside will also be capped by Georgia’s
ELEVATE, an initiative designed to will be activated with art and music,” largest municipal rooftop solar
enhance The Classic Center’s music, said Cramer, who is recognized this energy system, generating nearly
entertainment, and educational year by Georgia Trend Magazine as one half the electricity used by both
programs by showcasing the Georgia of 500 of the Most Influential Leaders venues – in partnership with
Music Hall of Fame collection at the in Georgia for his work on economic Cherry Street Energy.
arena, developing a Hospitality Learning development and Southern hospitality.
Lab, and creating an Entertainment Cramer celebrates 29 years at The “Residents and visitors can
Enrichment Fund to attract premier Classic Center this year. Among his
touring acts to Athens. With a campaign leadership roles, he developed and anticipate a great variety of
goal of $5.5 million, supporters of oversees The Classic Center Cultural entertainment and attractions
ELEVATE are making an investment in Foundation which provides hospitality in the first month that will
the future of Athens and its cultural education, performing arts, and show off the functionality of
growth and impacts. visual arts scholarships to the the arena and why it is different
Beyond the arena, there are local community. than anything we have ever
plans for a new brewery, sports bar, Bigger things are coming. Athens will
hotels, food hall, and condominiums now have its own hockey team in the had before.”
and apartments. Southern Professional Hockey League. – Paul Cramer
“There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Athens is entering the professional President & CEO
said Cramer, referring to the strong hockey sector in the season run from The Classic Center
sight lines from many angles in the October to April. The Classic Center is

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • 706-549-6800 Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • 706-549-6800 51