Ice hockey is returning to the James Brown Arena and the Augusta area for the first time in a decade.
Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority inked a new contract Tuesday with arena manager Oak View Group that includes a $10 million investment in an ice rink and hockey franchise, said Brad Usry, the authority’s chairman.
The 10-year contract guarantees Augusta won’t lose money on the arena, with OVG assuming all risk, Usry said.
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“It’s good for the city, good for OVG and good for everybody all around,” he said. “It will help us reach full potential for the building. We’re guaranteed under this contract not to lose money for the next 10 years.”
OVG is negotiating a contract with a new franchise associated with the East Coast Hockey League to be housed at the new arena, he said.
Construction plans won’t have to change and have the $250 million arena ready to open in the spring of 2027, he said.
Eventually the team will need a practice facility, which is required to be located in Richmond County, he said.
The Augusta Lynx were popular for a decade until the franchise folded in 2008. They were replaced by the River Hawks, who departed James Brown and its broken ice system for Macon in 2013.
The authority hired Stone Consulting of Chicago to examine the potential for hockey, and he found a franchise could add 30 additional event nights in findings released last year. But the plan wasn’t included in the referendum approved by voters last November.
Oak View Group is associated with the Savannah Ice Pirates and Jacksonville Icemen, both of which are owned by Zawyer Sports, which was identified as a potential owner last year.
