May 22, 2013
News 12 First at Five / Tuesday, July 24, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- What do you say to VIP treatment at the James Brown Arena? A new members only club is under construction and they are making a pretty big buy in hopes of attracting national attention.
"The Final Four isn't coming to Augusta anytime soon but the floor that it was played on might be?" we asked Coliseum Authority Chairman Cedric Johnson.
"That's correct," Johnson said.
Arena managers took to the airwaves to give us The Inside Story on plans to purchase the Final Four basketball court and goals.
"Monty let us know that the court that we have now is over 20 years old," said Johnson in reference to general manager Monty Jones Jr. "It is time to upgrade a little bit."
The court will cost $120,000. Is it worth it?
"People are looking for entertainment. They are looking for all types of entertainment," Johnson said. "We are bringing in good shows. We have the chance to maybe bringing a professional basketball game ... an exhibition game."
There is also a new VIP lounge in the works.
The Windsor Club will open to the public with memberships ranging from $700 to $1,000 a year.
"I can tell you guys that I am going to camp out in the Windsor Lounge the day before you launch," said radio host Minnesota Fattz. "So I can be the first in there."
The Windsor membership will offer premium access to show tickets months in advance and provide a VIP lounge experience before and after shows.
"But then also, too," Jones said, "you'll be able to host your own private meetings or wedding receptions."
Organizers are convinced they have a slam dunk with this new entertainment package.
"We're looking at giving people in our community a chance to see sports at a different level and at a nice place," Johnson said.
The Coliseum Authority approved the new floor at today's meeting. The new lounge is expected to open no later than early September 2012.
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