Forsyth County Eyes Lanierland for Potential Concert Venue

Sawdust-on-the-floor Lanierland could again be a concert venue.  

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has approved spending up to $25,000 on a "market analysis to determine the potential uses and projected performances at the Lanierland Concert Venue site," according to the consent agenda for the board's Thursday, Oct. 3, business meeting, set for 5 p.m. in Suite 220 of Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main St. in Cumming.

Acquired by the county in 2009, Lanierland Park on Jot Em Down Road in Cumming "is slated for use as an active park with green space," according the county's April update on proposed bond projects. It would include a number of football or soccer or lacrosse and baseball or softball fields along with a tennis complex, nature trail and the refurbished concert venue, according to the conceptual master plan, above.

Having trouble viewing the master plan? Click here.

Lanierland Park, at 109 acres, also will include a BMX track. It's funded by the $100 million Parks, Recreation and Green Space bond voters okayed in February 2008.

The Forsyth County BMX track at Lanierland park is set to break ground in winter 2014 and be ready for racing in the spring or summer of of 2014, according to Ryan Kramer of Forsyth BMX. 
 
After plans for an equestrian facility were scrapped, the next question apparently centers around the original Lanierland Music Park concert venue, which Forsyth County spokeswoman Jodi Gardner said officials believe closed in 2006.

When it opened in 1970, it seated 1,800 people and the first to perform on its wooden stage was Hank Williams Jr., according to Lanierland Music Park on Facebook. It expanded a few times, eventually seating 4,346, and hosting the biggest names in country music—the last concert George Jones and Tammy Wynette gave on stage together was in 1997 at Lanierland.

The upcoming market analysis will help Forsyth County "when deciding to restore the venue," Gardner said.

Should Forsyth restore the concert venue at Lanierland Park? What performers or shows would like to see come to Cumming?