Macon-Bibb commissioners give nod to hockey team | Politics | Macon.com

The minor-league hockey team now known as the Augusta RiverHawks got unanimous approval Tuesday to rent the Macon Coliseum for their home games, a big step toward moving the team to Middle Georgia.

Macon-Bibb County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution that was hurriedly brought to a vote Tuesday.

Kevin Dowdell, director of sales and marketing for the Macon Centreplex — which includes the coliseum, convention center and City Auditorium — said all documents for the rental agreement have to be in place by next Tuesday. The Southern Professional Hockey League only authorized Macon to host a franchise last week, he said.

“Now it’s just approval from our end,” Dowdell said at a commission meeting Tuesday afternoon. “(The team) would like to make an announcement as early as next week.”

If all is approved, a local office could open in July, but the first games wouldn’t be played in the coliseum until fall 2015, he said. That will allow time to get local sponsors on board and whip up enthusiasm, Dowdell said.

via Macon-Bibb commissioners give nod to hockey team | Politics | Macon.com.