In a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, the new Lumberjack Arena officially opened to the public Wednesday, January 25, 2023 ahead of the christening Lady Jack and Lumberjack Basketball games this Friday.
The ceremony was sponsored by Bradley County Chamber of Commerce and Warren School District. Present were School Board members, Warren High School Principal Tiffany Gathen, Athletic Director Bo Hembree and several students, parents, community leaders and school personnel.
Top photo: Warren community members, WSD staff, and students gather on the east entryway during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday, January 25, 2023 for the new Lumberjack Arena.
“ First, I want to say on behalf of the Warren School District and the Board of Directors that we appreciate the support from each of you and the people in the community who were unable to attend today,” Superintendent Bryan Cornish said.
“This project would not have been possible without your support. Thanks again, for making a dream reality for the kids in the Warren School District. Before you go inside, I want you to know this is still a work in progress. The arena has been cleaned but due to work still taking place, there will be some more cleaning to be done. It will be professionally cleaned Friday morning.
“Also, we have a few things that are not complete or have not arrived yet. Such as there is a 26-foot-long scorers table that will be delivered sometime next week. The table will have W on each end with a rolling messenger board in the middle. The heating and cooling duct is nearing completion and should be through tonight. I ask all of you when we enter to stay on the top concourse. Again, I want to say thanks for your support,” he concluded.
Voters approved a property tax millage increase in February 2021 from 36.5 mills to 41.5 mills to pay for the arena and the new Warren Elementary School, with the latter to be completed in the next couple of months and to be used in the 2023-24 school year.
Lumberjack Arena will be used for the first time with basketball games scheduled against Monticello on Friday. The 4A-South Regional Tournament will be held in the Arena on Feb. 22-25.
It holds 1,895 seats for games and 2,500 for other events such as graduation.
Clark Contractors was the general contractor on the project.
Union Bank and Trust was on hand in the new concession stand area serving hot dogs, popcorn, and water during the grand opening Wednesday.
