Holmes Center

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Holmes Center

The George M. Holmes Convocation Center, commonly called the Holmes Center, is an 8,325-seat multipurpose arena on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. It opened in 2000 to replace Varsity Gymnasium and serves as a home for Appalachian State’s athletic teams and a venue for community events, ceremonies, concerts, trade shows, and more. The building is named for George M. Holmes, a 1954 graduate and former member of the North Carolina General Assembly, while the arena itself is named for Seby Jones.

Construction began on December 5, 1997, and the center opened on September 6, 2000. The project cost about $29 million (roughly $53 million in 2024 dollars). The architect was Corley Redfoot Zack, Inc.; the structural engineer was Walter P Moore; and the general contractor was Metric Construction Company.

Inside the Holmes Center, the complex houses offices and facilities for the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science, plus a large multipurpose arena. The arena features retractable seating and a 300-meter Mondo track around the upper concourse, which is used by Appalachian State’s indoor track and field teams.

Tenants and uses
- Appalachian State Mountaineers: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball, and indoor track and field.
- The venue has also hosted professional indoor football teams, such as the High Country Grizzlies (2017–2018).

Notable events
- The opening ceremony included a men’s basketball game against North Carolina.
- The Appalachian State women’s basketball team hosted and won the Women’s Basketball Invitational championship games in 2010 and 2019.
- The center has hosted numerous major concerts by artists such as Lil Wayne, The Avett Brothers, The 1975, Migos, Kesha, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Taking Back Sunday, All American Rejects, Yes, Eric Church, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Bob Dylan, Blake Shelton, Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio, and Widespread Panic.
- On December 3, 2023, Appalachian State’s men’s basketball team defeated Auburn in front of a sellout crowd, marking the program’s first win over a high-major opponent at the Holmes Center and its first home win over a high-major opponent since 1993.

Location and map
- Address: 111 Rivers Street, Boone, North Carolina 28608
- Coordinates: approximately 36.2106° N, 81.6759° W

Summary
The Holmes Center is a key, versatile facility for Appalachian State University, combining athletics, academics, and community events in a single 8,325-seat venue with a unique indoor track feature and a history of notable sports milestones and major performances.