Forsyth County development intends to bring NHL back to metro Atlanta

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A massive Forsyth County development could hinge on the return of the National Hockey League to metro Atlanta.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement in principle with Krause Sports and Entertainment, which will build an 80-acre complex worth more than $2 billion called The Gathering at South Forsyth.

The centerpiece of the development will be a 700,000-square-foot arena, according to a press release. It would also include 1,800 multifamily units, 150 single family units, 1.6 million square feet of office and retail space and a 1.2 mile extension of the Big Creek Greenway trail system, according to the county.

The county will only invest in the arena if an NHL expansion franchise is awarded to Atlanta. If a franchise is awarded to the region, the county would add nearly $400 million in total to the arena and a parking deck. The agreement also states that the team would remain in the arena until the arena is paid off and that the county would receive at least $1 from every ticket sol for events at the arena.

The league is currently at 32 teams and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has stated that expansion is not a priority for the league. The expansion fee for the Seattle Kraken, the league’s most recent franchise, was $650 million.

Krause Sports and Entertainment CEO Vernon Krause said, “[We] are committed to creating a gathering place that will cater to diverse interests and provide an unparalleled world-class experience for all. The prospect of bringing the National Hockey League back to Georgia adds another layer of excitement to this venture, and we are eager to pursue that potential.”

An expansion franchise would be the region’s third NHL team. The Atlanta Flames played at the Omni Coliseum from 1972 to 1980 before moving to Calgary, Canada. The Thrashers played at State Farm Arena from 1999 to 2011 before moving to Winnipeg, Canada, and rebranding as the Winnipeg Jets.

Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.