Fire safety inspection issues that forced the Classic Center to postpone the Rock Lobsters’ first home game and the opening of Akins Ford Arena should be resolved next week, Classic Center President and CEO Paul Cramer told Flagpole.
The arena was unable to obtain a certificate of occupancy from the Athens-Clarke County fire marshal due to a faulty fire panel, the Classic Center announced this afternoon. The news set off a round of recriminations, with the Rock Lobsters putting the Classic Center in hot water and the Classic Center pointing a claw at contractor JE Dunn.
“The continued postponement raises concerns about Akins Ford Arena’s ability to fulfill its lease agreement with the Athens Rock Lobsters, placing a shadow of uncertainty over the remainder of the season,” the team said in a release. “The organization remains committed to finding solutions and providing the best possible experience for its players and fans, but the delay poses significant challenges as the team looks ahead.”
Asked how the delay would affect the facility’s long-term relationship with the team, Cramer replied, “It doesn’t help. We’ve had a great relationship with them. Not being able to open the arena is devastating.”
Cramer acknowledged that the delay puts the team in a tough spot financially. Not only have the Rock Lobsters lost out on ticket revenue from home games, they’ve incurred significant travel expenses playing on the road for 11 straight games.
But Cramer expressed confidence that the fire issues would be resolved soon, even though the contractor could not iron out the issues last Friday. The fire marshal was scheduled to return for further inspections on Monday and Wednesday. “I hope we’ve run down those issues by then,” he said.
“We’ve been working with them for quite a while, and a lot of progress has been made. However, at this time the fire alarm has not been fully tested for them to safely open the building,” Fire Marshal Rick Vaughn told the Athens Banner-Herald. “With a fire alarm system, it’s complicated, and as large as this facility is, it takes hours and hours to fully test the system.”
Cramer said he anticipated that the Rock Lobsters could hold their home opener as soon as this Friday. A B-52s and of Montreal concert scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 was still on as of press time, as was a free community celebration the afternoon of Dec. 15.
Tickets for the two postponed games will be honored once those games are rescheduled, as will tickets for a black-tie gala that had been scheduled for Dec. 8. A Rock Lobsters welcoming ceremony previously scheduled for the afternoon of Dec. 6 will likely be pushed into January, Cramer said.
The $151 million arena has already experienced several delays. It was originally scheduled to open in August, then November, and now has been pushed back again, even if only for a matter of days. “At the end of the day, safety comes first, and it always has to come first,” Cramer said.
FIRST UPDATE: The official opening of the new Akins Ford Arena has been postponed, the Classic Center announced late this afternoon.
“While the building has received approvals from the planning department, the state elevator inspector, local health inspectors, and passed the smoke control test, the contractors were unable to provide a trouble-free fire panel and as such the Fire Marshal was unable to provide a certificate of occupancy.,” the Classic Center said in a news release.
“We share in the disappointment of the Crustacean Nation and empathize with the Rock Lobster ownership, who have been outstanding partners while being on the road for the first three months of this season to accommodate the extended construction period.”
“As a public assembly facility, the safety of our patrons remains our highest priority. The Classic Center Authority and Athens-Clarke County Unified Government will continue to work with JE Dunn and their subcontractors to quickly resolve this matter and open our doors to the public as soon as possible. Thank you to our partners and patrons for your patience and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you to a truly remarkable facility very soon.”
The Rock Lobsters’ home games today and Saturday have been postponed, as well as a black-tie gala on Sunday. Tickets for those events will be honored once they’re rescheduled.
ORIGINAL POST: The new arena at the Classic Center, officially dubbed Akins Ford Arena in August, will open tonight with the minor league Rock Lobsters’ first home game.
The new Federal Prospects League hockey team takes on the Blue Ridge Bobcats at 7 p.m. Prior to the game, starting at 4 p.m., will be an Athens Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration feature a team walkout, music, games, and food and drinks. The Bobcats and Rock Lobsters play again on Saturday.
Ten days of events are planned for the arena’s grand opening, including a concert featuring the B-52s (known for their hit song “Rock Lobster”), of Montreal and DJ Cummerbund on Saturday, Dec. 14.
More Rock Lobsters games are scheduled for Dec. 12 against the Monroe Moccasins and Dec. 13 versus the Mississippi Sea Wolves.
The schedule culminates Dec. 15 with a free community grand opening from 1-4 p.m. featuring ice skating, face painting, a sidewalk chalk art contest and more.
The $151 million arena, located off East Broad Street behind the Classic Center and near the Multimodal Transportation Center, seats 6,500 for sporting events and can hold up to 8,500 for concerts. Funded partially by Athens-Clarke County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) but mostly through land leases, corporate investment and future ticket fees, the overall arena project will eventually feature a privately funded new parking deck, a hotel, apartments and an entertainment district with bars and restaurants.
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