James Brown Arena

James Brown Arena

Former names	Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center
Location	601 7th St. Augusta, GA 30901
Opened	1974
Owner	Augusta-Richmond County
Capacity	9,167
Tenants
Augusta Lynx (ECHL) 1998-2008 Augusta River Hawks) (SPHL) 2010-2013

The James Brown Arena (formerly known as the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center) is a multi-purpose complex in Augusta, Georgia. It features an 8,500 seat arena, renamed the James Brown Arena in honor of musician James Brown on August 22, 2006. The complex also features a 2,690 seat theater and a 14,500 sq. ft. exhibit hall that opens into a 23,000 sq. ft. arena floor.

The James Brown Arena was home to the Augusta River Hawks of the Southern Professional Hockey League starting in 2010 until the ice making system malfunctioned late in the 2012-13 season forcing the River Hawks to finish their home schedule at their practice facility. It is also the former home of the ECHL's Augusta Lynx from 1998–2008.

The estimated price to replaced the ice making system was $1.2 million.  The age of the building (mid-1970's opening)  has lead many to believe that hockey will not return to Augusta until the city builds a new facility, which the county's voters shot down in a referendum in 2004. Media reports have started the public debate on whether the arena should be repaired or replaced.

External links

• James Brown Arena
• Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center at Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects LLP