A highly publicized Masters’ week event is on hold.
C4 Live had announced XPR Augusta with a week of concerts and experiences at the Lake Olmstead Stadium with a significant investment in the park in September, but things are at a standstill.
“We have temporarily suspended event production after a potential structural issue was encountered on the stadium grounds earlier this week. Our production team is coordinating with technical experts to determine the full scope of the issue. We expect to have more information about this issue very soon, and we will share any updates as they are available. – Michael Perry and Greg Costello, managing partners, C4 Live,” is the official statement sent in an email Friday by Megan Paquin, a spokeswoman for C4 Live.
Paquin didn’t give many additional details.
“There have been some questions about the nature of the structural issue,” wrote Paquin. “I can confirm it’s not the stadium itself, but the grounds may require significant reinforcement.”
C4 Live planned to invest $1.7 million in Lake Olmstead Stadium and was part of a 10-year partnership agreement with the Augusta Economic Development Authority.
Blake Shelton is scheduled for an April 6 concert with Tim McGraw on April 7 and Jimmy Buffet on April 8.
In addition to concerts, other experiences were planned. The Pavilion would be at the heart of the venue with chefs preparing “eclectic edible art” and various adult beverages according to the XPR Augusta website xpraugusta.com. The spot would also have special activities, games and shopping. The April events are supposed to kick off a year of other types of festivals and live entertainment including a Soul Music and Food Festival.
Philanthropy is an important aspect of what C4 Live Entertainment already does, said Perry, in a September 2021 news conference announcing the project, and plans were to give back to five area charities.
“At heart, we’re a service organization,” he said.
The James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils (JAMP), the Jessye Norman School for the Arts, Augusta Boxing Club, Savannah Riverkeeper and Golden Harvest Food Bank are the first five organizations designated to receive funds.
