Schools
Douglas County's Multimillion-Dollar Event Arena To Be Complete In 2023
The Douglas County school board approved $43.3 million on Monday for the new multipurpose arena, set to be complete in 2023.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — The Douglas County School System Board of Education approved a $43.3 million allocation this week for a new multipurpose arena at the site of the district's old central office building on Highway 5.
The vote Monday came just over a month after the board approved the $300,000 demolition of the old admin building, which housed the school's headquarters for 35 years before moving to the GreyStone Power's old headquarters on Veterans Memorial Highway earlier this year.
The old building is scheduled to be demolished Dec. 21, according to a Wednesday news release. The new facility will have seating for 6,000 guests, making it large enough to host graduation ceremonies, which are currently held about 40 minutes away at the University of West Georgia coliseum in Carrollton.
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It will also be used for additional school system events and for rent by outside organizations, including tournaments for basketball, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, field hockey, gymnastics, cheer and dance.
“We look forward to holding our graduations in Douglas County. A 45-minute drive to the University of West Georgia is difficult for some of our students and families,” Superintendent Trent North said in the release. "In addition, the rental of the facility to outside organizations will boost the economy of our county and region by generating revenue for local businesses, creating jobs and bringing in additional tax dollars. People will travel to Douglas County and spend their money at our restaurants, hotels and other businesses."
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Construction on the arena, funded through bond and voter-approved Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds, will start in January and is expected to be completed sometime in 2023.
“The arena is designed to have a ‘wow factor’ and is a facility the entire county will be proud of,” North said. “We look forward to welcoming the community to this facility which will be unique for our region.”
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