MGA Dedicates New Pavilion & Facilities at Georgia Premier Cross Country Course

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Friday, September 12, 2025 12:00 AM
Category: Pressroom

Macon, GA

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) dedicated new competition and event facilities at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course on the Macon Campus during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, September 10. 

MGA and its partners, Macon-Bibb and Visit Macon, expanded the site with a covered pavilion, team locker rooms, public restrooms, concessions, and a large parking lot to strengthen recreational and tourism opportunities for the region. 

“The recent upgrades to the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course reflect the vision of our University leaders and community partners who commit to public-private collaborations that drive local growth,” said Michael Brown, MGA’s athletics director. “Georgia Premier has long drawn championship-caliber competition, and these enhanced facilities will attract even more events that support our student-athletes, visitors, and the regional economy.” 

The project created two climate-controlled buildings connected by an open-air pavilion that provides covered seating, audio/visual capabilities, and gathering space for athletes and fans. Crews paved a new parking lot large enough for team buses and refreshed the course with a new starting line that accommodates up to 1,000 runners. 

A $1.24 million federal grant through the Economic Development Administration and nearly $311,000 in SPLOST support from Macon-Bibb funded the project. The investment positions Georgia Premier to generate nearly $1 million annually in economic activity and to host high-profile events such as cross-country championships, cyclocross races, and community festivals. 

MGA Knights cross-country and long-distance track teams train and compete at Georgia Premier, which offers running loops of two, three, and five miles. The course regularly welcomes collegiate, middle and high school, and community races.