Elton John; Renovations In Store For Garrett Coliseum

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By Ashley Thompson

Story Created: Jan 17, 2013 at 10:11 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 12:55 AM CDT

A major entertainment announcement in Montgomery; a world famous musician is coming to town. Elton John will perform at Garrett Coliseum in March.

It's been years since Montgomery has had a big-name headliner perform in the city. But soon, Garrett Coliseum will play host to the world-famous singer-songwriter. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange confirmed the news saying city officials have been working to land the artist for quite some time.

"We said, could Elton John, would he come back? We were first told that it wasn't going to happen then about 3 months ago, they said yes," he explains.

City Officials also unveiled blueprints of what they hope will be the future look of Garrett Coliseum. Renovations are slated to begin in 2015.

"What we're trying to do is do some of the basics," says Mayor Strange. "We know we have to upgrade the coliseum. New sound systems and heating...plumbing and electric."

Mayor Strange gave credit to Kiwanis Club volunteers who have already spent countless hours doing minor renovations, like painting the facility and paving the parking lot.

"We cleaned up and we have shown that it can be productive and work with a little bit of help and a little bit of work and a little bit of elbow grease and some imagination," says Bob Mcgaughey of the Kiwanis Club and National Fair Board.

The Coliseum holds upwards of 11,000 people but city officials say the concert will most likely sell out quickly and generate big money for the city.

"When you do things like Elton John or big name concerts, people from outside of Montgomery and the River Region area are going to come," says Randy Stephenson of the Kiwanis Club. "So you get the hotel rooms, you get the food."

The Coliseum will be renovated in phases and we're told it will take about three years to complete. Stephenson says it will be a team effort.

"We're excited that the Mayor and the City Council and the County Commission and the state all finally got together to do something for Garrett Coliseum."

The concert is scheduled for March 22nd at 8pm. Tickets go on sale at 10am next Saturday and begin at 29 dollars.

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