Rink

concerts and more, the multi-purpose Akins Ford Arena has assured that when it comes to winter and outdoor activities, Georgians won't be left out in the cold. "I think the arena has really brought to the surface how vibrant the ice commu- nity is in our region and helped fill a very needed gap between Atlanta and other communities where ice isn't as accessible," said Tim DeMott, vice president of opera- tions for The Classic Center and Akins Ford Arena general manager. Akins Ford Arena features one indoor sheet of ice and one seasonal outdoor pub- lic skating rink, six locker rooms, 5,500 fixed bowl seats, with 21 suites and three premium clubs to provide a first-class experience for teams and fans. The arena seats 5,500 for hockey and up to 8,500 for concerts or conventions. Growing the Game Also known as "the Tank," Akins Ford Arena is home to the Athens Rock Lobsters (a Southern Professional Hockey League team inspired by Athens' iconic music scene and the song "Rock Lobster" by the B-52s), the University of Georgia Ice Dawgs Division 2 club team, UGA women's hockey, the Northeast Georgia Youth Hockey Association, and IFL arena football team, as well as Athens Figure Skating Club and UGA's Figure Skating Club. The Rock Lobsters were embraced quickly by "Crustacean Nation," drawing more than 100,000 fans in each of their first two seasons, and have built a reputa- tion for delivering fun, fast, high-energy experiences for fans and a community- driven identity. "One of the things that has been most cool see over the past two years is how this community has embraced hockey," said DeMott. "We knew there was a PHOTOS: AKINS FORD ARENA USICERINKS.COM JULY.AUGUST.2026 / 17 p Northeast Georgia Youth Hockey has doubled in size thanks to Akins Ford Arena and the Rock Lobsters. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN MOST COOL TO SEE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IS HOW THIS COMMUNITY HAS EMBRACED HOCKEY." — TIM DeMOTT, AKINS FORD ARENA GM

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