Augusta’s new arena reaches major construction milestone

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta’s new arena has reached a major construction milestone, with the superstructure steel now complete and crews shifting focus to interior work, according to project officials.

The 10-story facility spans 900 feet and has required 18,000 yards of concrete and 440,000 man hours of labor. Seventh Street, which runs adjacent to the site, is expected to reopen next month as construction progresses.

On schedule and on budget

Brad Usry of the Augusta-Richmond Coliseum Authority said the project remains on track financially and logistically.

“We are on schedule and on budget and that’s the big thing for us,” Usry said.

Usry said the finished building will offer amenities the city’s old coliseum could not, including luxury boxes, low seating, and expanded concession options.

“All the bells and whistles you get with a new arena — the premiere experiences, the luxury boxes, the low seating, the concession options beyond a piece of pizza,” Usry said.

Built to handle any show

Usry said the new arena’s infrastructure was specifically designed to support large-scale productions that exceeded the old coliseum’s capacity.

“If they’re hanging lights, if they’re hanging trapeze, if they’re hanging speakers — the shows were too much for our infrastructure,” Usry said. “This will hold any show you can bring to town.”

What’s the timeline?

Project officials are targeting a partial opening for graduation ceremonies in 2027, with full completion expected in June or July of that year.

“We are shooting for graduation next year, 2027, to be able to facilitate that for the city of Augusta — and we are looking at a final completion for the overall project in June and July of next year,” said Branden, a project official on site.

Usry added: “It’s going to be super nice and what Augusta deserves.”

The new arena will also serve as home to Augusta’s new hockey team. With the building now NCAA-eligible, the city will be able to bid on college sporting events for the first time.