The History of the George M. Holmes Convocation Center and the Seby Jones Arena
15 years in the making

It took almost 15 years to build the George M. Holmes Convocation Center.

In 1986, Appalachian State University officials began exploring ways to enhance academic offerings within its department of health, leisure and exercise science and renovate Varsity Gym.

Built in 1968, the gym was designed as a multipurpose facility to serve the campus's 5,500-student population. As the university's enrollment grew and student interest in the department of health, leisure and exercise science increased, the building no longer met the university's academic or recreational needs.

In mid-1987 university officials met with N.C. Rep. David Diamont to discuss renovating the gymnasium. Appalachian received $300,000 from the General Assembly to plan the building's renovation. However, after determining that the project would cost more than $12 million, legislators recommended that a new facility be constructed.

In 1994, with the support of Diamont, Rep. Wade Wilmoth, Rep Andy Cromer, Sen. Sandy Sands, Sen. Fred Folger and others, the Legislature appropriated $9.75 million to begin construction of a student activity center.

The originally proposed site for the center, above the football stadium on a site now occupied by the university's baseball field, was rejected amid concerns that it would negatively impact an area used for environmental study by several academic departments.

That opposition proved fortuitous for the HLES department. As originally conceived, the student activity center did not include any space for academics.

A broad-based committee was formed in the spring of 1994 to determine what type of facility would meet the needs of the university and region. The committee recommended a facility that would support the university's commitment to excellence in teaching and research; support the university's charge to promote the intellectual, cultural and personal growth of students through curricular and extracurricular activities; and support cultural, educational, recreational and other programs of public service to the local and regional community.

From this report, and the input of faculty and others, evolved the convocation center.

An economic impact study completed in August 1994 indicated that the center's construction could generate $5 million in revenue for Watauga County Businesses.

In 1995, Rep. George M. Holmes gained support for a plan to fund over a two-year period the remaining convocation center costs. The Legislature adopted a funding package allocating $20.6 million in 1995 and an additional $5 million 1997. Combined with a $600,000 reimbursement from the N.C. Department of Transportation for right-of-way grading and reserves held by the university, the project was completely funded.

An engineering study completed in 1995 by Ogden Environmental and Engineering Services reported that the convocation center site, located on portions of the former baseball field near Rivers Street and U.S. 321, would have minimal impact on the town's floodway. A flood mitigation project was developed that opened Boone Creek, created a park near the campus entrance that also serves as a rainwater catch basin, realigned Rivers Street and improved rainwater drainage through a series of box culverts near the new site.

By November 1996, architectural drawings were finalized and in October 1997 bids were awarded for the center's construction.

Ground breaking for the new facility was held in December 1997. Construction began in January 1998. In March 1998, Appalachian's board of trustees named the center for Holmes and the arena for Seby B. Jones, former chair of Appalachian's board of trustees and a longtime supporter of university programs and activities.

The convocation center totals 200,840 square feet, including 48,830 square feet of academic space and will seat between 8,500 to 9,313, depending on the seating configuration used. The building can accommodate conventions, trade shows, concerts and athletic events.