Rink

July/August 2026

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RINK BREAKDOWN 190,000 SQUARE FEET 2024 OPENED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM: ICE RESURFACERS: Propane (2) 200' x 85' 1 SPECTATOR CAPACITY SUITES PREMIUM CLUBS 125' x 85' 1 SEASONAL OUTDOOR RINK RINK FLOORS CONCRETE LIGHTING IN ARENA LED LOCKER ROOMS 6 p Ammonia, Glycol market for it and an interest and to see it all come to life is really special. This community has been absolutely energized by the Rock Lobsters brand. Even before they launched their first season, they had sold merchandise in all 50 states." The opening of Akins Ford Arena also created a more permanent home for University of Georgia hockey, which had previously played its games in a temporary rink housed inside the Classic Center's Grand Hall (which was also used for figure skating and other holiday sea- son programming) and before that, the next closest rinks more than an hour away in Alpharetta and Duluth. Having these higher levels of hockey accessible for families in the region to see up close is already making a big impres- sion. Kyle Schnitzer, ice manager at Akins Ford Arena, estimates that since the Rock Lobsters' arrival in the city, the Northeast Georgia Youth Hockey program has dou- bled to nearly 200 total registered kids. Making Memories (and Music) While hockey is certainly a big driver of what makes Akins Ford Arena successful, there are other noteworthy features that make the building unique. • Because the arena is built into a hill, the primary entrance is on the main concourse level at the top of the seating bowl, which provides impressive sight- lines and viewing angles. • Combined with the convention center, Akins Ford Arena features the largest municipal solar array in the state of Georgia. • On display throughout the concourse are the Georgia Music Collections— historical artifacts and interactive dis- plays that tell the story of music's his- tory in Georgia. 5,500 21 3 FUN FACT: PHOTOS: AKINS FORD ARENA ICE TIME $300/ Hour SPECIAL FEATURES: p "A" Shaped bar that overlooks the ice surface Featured Rink Akins Ford Arena SKATING PROGRAMS: Georgia Youth Hockey (NEGA), Athens Figure Skating Club, UGA Figure Skating Club TENANTS: Athens Rock Lobsters, UGA Ice Dawgs, UGA Women's Hockey, NEGA Youth Hockey, Athens IFL (Arena Football), Athens Figure Skating Club, UGA's Figure Skating Club p In 2014 we were the first convention center in North America to own a rink which ultimately became the proof of concept for the Arena. p Combined with the adjoining convention center we are the largest municipal solar array in the state of Georgia. p Our SPHL team named Athens Rock Lobsters is pulled from Athens' music royalty, the B-52s. 1 dedicated Rock Lobsters room, 5 for public use p Akins Ford Arena is becoming a concert hot spot. 18 / JULY.AUGUST.2026 USICERINKS.COM NHL RINK

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