Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1546131
92 maconmagazine.com | August/September 2026 Follow the progress of the new arena at maconbibb.us B r e a k i n g g r o u n d a n d b u i l d i n g t h e n e x t g e n e r a t i o n o f m e m o r i e s F or 60 years, the Macon Coliseum has been where Central Georgians came together. It has hosted state championship victories, legendary concerts, graduations, trade shows, hockey games, and countless first-time experiences to big events that turn into core memories. Now, nearly a lifetime after opening its doors, the venue is preparing to pass the torch. In late July on a hot Macon summer day, Macon-Bibb County officially broke ground on a new $350 million arena that promises to carry that legacy forward. Expected to open in late 2028, the 230,000-square-foot facility is designed not only to accommodate bigger events and a more modern architecture, but to reflect the character of the community it serves. Rather than creating a venue that could exist anywhere, the design was created to feel unmistakably Macon. Flowing architectural lines evoke the Ocmulgee River and the facility creates a direct line to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. The roof recalls the shape of a guitar pick, and subtle details pay tribute to the city's deep musical roots. Inside, a permanent home for the Macon Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate local athletes. The arena itself is built for flexibility, and especially for athletic events. With the capacity for modern touring concerts and big sporting events to conventions, graduations, and family entertainment, the venue can adapt to host a wide variety of experiences. An adjoining 30,000-square-foot flex hall expands its capabilities, creating space for trade shows, community events and even an additional sheet of ice for hockey tournaments and recreational programming. One of the most interesting parts of the facility is how it will extend beyond entertainment. Macon-Bibb County and the Bibb County School District have entered into a partnership that would integrate instructional space into the arena, giving students hands-on CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) experience in subjects like culinary arts, audio-visual production, graphic design, and other career fields connected to the entertainment industry. The goal is to bring workforce development and economic opportunity directly into the building. Mayor Lester M. Miller, who joked that as someone who is "slightly active on social media" that he's seen negative comments, said during the groundbreaking ceremony. "[The Coliseum] has held generations and generations of memories. But time has passed and we are at a point where we need a facility that will create memories for the next several generations." "It represents the future of sports, of entertainment, of families coming together. It represents a beacon for young people." That sentiment echoed throughout the celebration, attended by elected officials, students, construction partners, and community members. For Christy Kovac of Sheridan Construction, whose company built the original Coliseum nearly six decades ago, helping launch its successor represented both a full-circle moment and a reminder that great civic spaces evolve with the communities they serve. "This is my hometown, and this is personal," Kovac said. "It is a legacy continuing — jobs, dreams, pride, and a new chapter for Macon." When the new arena opens in 2028, it will surely feature up-to-date amenities, improved sightlines, and the flexibility to host diverse events for up to 12,000 attendees. But like the Coliseum before it, it will become a place where communities gather to make memories — setting the stage for Macon's next chapter. BY MM STAFF Before the lights go up on opening night, Macon's new arena is already telling a story.