Omicron derails opening of Enmarket Arena

Article posted by Coliseum, January 19^th, 2022

Image: Oak View Group

The opening of Savannah’s Enmarket Arena (US), originally scheduled for January 13^th-14^th, 2022, has been delayed for a month as the City and Manager Oak View Group (American Global Advisory, Development and Investment Company for Sports and Live Entertainment industries) grapple with supply-chain issues and COVID-19-related delays as Omicron sends COVID cases soaring across the United States.

The ‘Arena Digest’ stated that as of now there is no firm date for the opening, though City officials anticipate a delay of just a few weeks. Two events are being postponed from January to February.

The Enmarket Arena is a multipurpose complex that is under construction in Savannah, Georgia, United States. It is scheduled to open in February 2022 with a 9,500-seat arena, including 12 luxury suites, five lodge boxes and a party suite.

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Remarked Peter Luukko, Co-Chairman, Oak View Group Facilities, in a press statement announcing the delay, “While we are disappointed that we won’t be opening this in January, we remain committed to bringing top concerts, like the upcoming Eagles (American rock band), Bon Jovi (American rock band) and Keith Urban (Australian-American musician) shows, as well as sporting events and family shows to Savannah. Season tickets for the Savannah Ghost Pirates (professional minor league ice hockey team) are selling at a record pace as people are excited to have a hockey team here in Savannah. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Mayor Johnson and the City of Savannah in making Savannah a premier entertainment destination here in the Southeast.”

Said the Mayor of Savannah, Van R. Johnson, II via a press release, “It is disappointing to take a step back and hit the pause button on the opening of Savannah’s new Enmarket Arena after having announced a scheduled opening date late last year. However, that disappointment does not eclipse the necessity of being sure we have a complete, safe facility, with all the necessary inspections in-hand, that is ready to welcome Savannahians for music, laughs and memories in the years to come.”

The ‘Arena Digest’ further stated that this is not the first issue facing the arena. Construction on streets surrounding the arena has also been delayed, as well as availability of local parking lots.

The Savannah Ghost Pirates are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) based in Savannah, Georgia. The team will begin play in the 2022-2023 ECHL seasons with home games at the under-construction Enmarket Arena.

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