The Augusta Entertainment Complex goes green - WFXG FOX 54 - News Now

The James Brown Arena has recently undergone renovations in order to reduce the size of its ecological footprint. The addition of fourteen new air handling units, eight on the roof and six throughout the building, are reducing the overall electrical usage.

To go along with the new air handling units, new mechanical piping has been installed throughout the arena along with a newly installed 650 ton water chiller, which will cut down on energy usage as well as help produce power more efficiently and effectively.

To assist in the cooling of the arena, the roof, which used to be black, has had a new white silicone coating applied to it. The addition of the white silicone coating will cut down on the heat load placed on the building by reflecting the sunlight, which used to be absorbed by the black roof.

These renovations are expected to reduce energy usage by 10 to 15%.

Starting this week during Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the James Brown Arena will implement their new recycling program in a partnership with Dumpster Depot.

Norman Dunagan, owner of Dumpster Depot, states "I am excited about this partnership because other arenas around the country have already begun this initiative.  It is wonderful that James Brown Arena has jumped on board.  Greenworks is proud to help the arena go green. Our goal is to set the standard for the Augusta area.  The James Brown Arena is such a visible land mark in the community, and it could be a beacon for this green movement.

Containers will be placed around the James Brown Arena and the Bell Auditorium in order to collect aluminum, cardboard, plastic, paper and metal. The amount of waste expected to be diverted from landfills is around 25% in the first year and will continue to increase as patrons become accustomed to using these receptacles. 

Global Spectrum GM, Monty Jones Jr. says "We are proud of the steps we are taking in becoming ‘Green' venues and bringing Dumpster Depot on as a partner.  We would like to thank the CSRA in advance, for their support of our recycling initiative.  Make sure to look for the new ‘Step Up' containers when you visit!"

Brad Usry, Augusta Richmond County Coliseum Authority Vice-Chairman says "We appreciate the initiatives Global Spectrum is taking to become good stewards in the community and ultimately for the well-being of our earth.  Every little bit helps."

Comcast-Spectacor and Global Spectrum are committed to raising awareness and taking action to make its facilities throughout the world more environmentally friendly with a company-wide, comprehensive campaign called "Step Up."

The Augusta Entertainment Complex is managed by Global Spectrum. Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) is the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field with more than 100 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world's largest sports and entertainment companies, Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, and Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company and Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions. In a partnership with Disson Skating, Comcast-Spectacor annually produces 10 nationally televised figure skating spectaculars on NBC.