August 24, 2007
Albany - In addition to Quail Unlimited, The Civic Center has lost another event due to higher rental rates. The Georgia High School Association has moved the AAA South Sectionals to Columbus State University next March.
For about 20 years now, the Gerogia High School Association has hosted the AAA South Sectionals in Albany, but next March, they'll be held at Columbus State University.
"Sort of shocking and surprising. We've been holding this tournament for years," said Dougherty County school system athletics director Johnny Seabrooks. He said it was not financially favorable for the GHSA to hold the sectional at the Albany Civic Center, given an estimated cost of $7,000 for just one day.
"At that price," he said they just felt that they would not be able to make a profit here."
But Civic Center Director John Mazzola says that's not the case. He said he gave Seabrooks price estimates for two other dates, for two separate events, not March 1st. And the reason the tournament isn't being held at the Civic Center is because that date is already booked.
Seabrooks says he's disappointed the sectionals are leaving. "We enjoyed hosting. We considered ourselves in Albany the city of champions."
And hopes to host again at the Albany Civic Center in the Future. "People say they love basketball in Albany, they love the arena, so hopefully in the future, some prices can be reduced so we can work out some things so that we can get back in the Civic Center."
Seabrooks says typically the event costs about $3,000 per day at the Civic Center. Mazzola says, as with all bookings, there was negotiation room, but he was never given the opportunity to sit down and work things out with the GHSA.
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