Clayton County’s new convocation center at Southlake Mall did not ease into existence. It roared to life, turning empty department store shells into a packed arena and playing host to the Georgia High School Association's Traditional State Wrestling Championships as its pre-opening showcase. Over four days, thousands of student-athletes, coaches and fans descended on Morrow, giving the venue a trial by fire and offering a glimpse of what local leaders hope will be a south-side comeback story.
Repurposed Retail Becomes A Sports Hub
The transformed space, built inside repurposed storefronts, doubles as both an adaptive reuse case study and a bold bet on local investment, delivering an uncommon stage for state-level high school sports. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ralph Simpson called it “a brand new facility” opening at a special time for this year’s seniors, while tournament director Bud Hennebaul said the layout was “a really good fit” for the finals, according to CBS News Atlanta.
State Finals Move To The Arena At Southlake
According to Clayton County Public Schools, the convocation center, branded as The Arena at Southlake, served as the pre-opening host site for the GHSA Traditional State Wrestling Championships, with competition running Feb. 11–14 and more than 2,000 student-athletes entered across 28 weight classes. The district lists the venue at 1300 Southlake Circle in Morrow. The Georgia High School Association lists the Clayton County Convocation Center as the official championship site on its state-championships calendar, as shown on GHSA.
Plans Beyond The Mat
Officials stress that the arena complex is not just about games. The facility includes dedicated space for workforce development and a college and career academy geared toward training students for local jobs. The project reused the former Sears footprint inside Southlake Mall and was built under a roughly $117 million plan, according to American School & University. Partners and private foundations have also pledged support for career programs tied to the project, per Metro Atlanta CEO.
South-Side Momentum And Local Reaction
On opening night, leaders and coaches framed the arena as both an economic spark and a cultural touchstone for Morrow and Clayton County. “We’re looking forward to it,” Morrow Mayor John Lampl told CBS News Atlanta, signaling high hopes that the venue can pull more events, and more dollars, to the south side. North Forsyth coach Travis Jarrard kept the focus on the action, saying, “These kids showed really good wrestling tonight.” Tournament director Bud Hennebaul also welcomed the arena as a new home for the finals, according to the same report.
District officials say the convocation center will host graduations, community events and school programming as they shift ceremonies and workforce training into the new space. Clayton County leaders are betting that the blend of athletics, education and jobs programs can help revive mall foot traffic and create a steady drumbeat of events for the area. For schedules and ticket information, see the district advisory from Clayton County Public Schools and the GHSA state-championship calendar on GHSA.
