SUSTAINABILITY

The Classic Center
Downtown Athens, GA

The Classic Center remains committed to our green initiatives to operate our facilities in the most energy-efficient manner possible and to utilize green products and services when appropriate.

The Classic Center building at night

GREEN MEETINGS

Green Meetings

The Classic Center received recognition as a Green Meetings Site by ConventionSouth.  As a result, meeting planners can feel confident that Green Meetings approved by ConventionSouth cities, hotels, and facilities conserve energy and fuel, reduce product use, reuse products, recycle products, and use local products when available.  And approved organizations can assist groups in reducing their carbon footprint on the destination while in town for the meeting.  

LEED CERTIFIED

LEED Certified

 Completed in 2013, the 8,000-square-foot Atrium was built to be LEED Silver Certified.  The Classic Center Arena will also be LEED Certified. According to the US Green Building Council, "LEED Certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement."  The Classic Center is excited to use its resources to implement good business practices and is eager to expand on this work when the development of its new area begins.  

CLEAN ENERGY

Clean Energy

In 2019, The Classic Center installed a 5.2 kW solar array which provides clean energy to The Classic Center Theatre.  Coupled with other measures, including newly installed LED lighting, The Classic Center reduced its energy consumption by over 20% starting in 2017. The Classic Center will expand the solar power array with 1,600 solar panels on the roof of the arena and existing buildings to create the largest municipal solar energy system in Georgia.

RECYCLING

Recycling Program

The Recycling Program is committed to staff and visitor participation and includes cardboard, paper, plastics, glass, aluminum, toner cartridges, wooden pallets, and electronics.  

SMOKE-FREE


Smoke-Free Facility

We have a 100% smoke-free facility through the use of pleated air filters with regular replacement and energy-saving heat recovery units for fresh air capture.  

ELECTRIC

Eliminating Emissions

The Classic Center offers five conveniently located Electric Vehicle Charging Stations that are available to all visitors.  New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations will be added to the campus as the arena's parking inventory increases. The Classic Center's convenient location is within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants, shops, and other downtown attractions eliminating the need to drive while visiting.

EFFICIENCY

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is achieved through energy audits conducted by Georgia Power, LED interior and exterior lighting throughout the facility with occupancy sensor lighting controls, building climate control systems programmed hourly based on occupancy, and solar harvesting.  

GOING GREEN

Going Green

Our tree canopy is a facility property established with dozens of mature trees within the landscape design that contributes to reducing carbon dioxide pollutants, stormwater fun-off control, and soil infiltration while providing a pleasing sense of space and place.