A Major Milestone in Lowcountry Growth
A significant milestone in the growth and development of the Lowcountry region is currently underway with the construction of a new $46.2 million sports and entertainment complex in Port Wentworth. Located just over the South Carolina state border, the Anchor Park complex is set to be completed by August 2026.
This complex will feature a 150-acre multi-use park, restaurants, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater. It will also house two ice rinks known as the Ice Cove, which will serve as the official training facility for the Savannah Ghost Pirates.
Entertainment, Sports, Activities & More
Located off Monteith Road, east of Interstate 95, the expansive complex in Anchor Park will include:
- A 90,000-square-foot training facility for the Ghost Pirates.
- Two regulation-size ice rinks with 300 bleacher seats per rink. These rinks are open to the public and capable of hosting events year-round.
- A 5,000-seat covered amphitheater designed for concerts, festivals, and events.
- Multi-use sports fields and courts for pickleball, softball, baseball, and soccer.
- Walking trails, public gathering areas, and green space.
- On-site restaurants, a bar, and retail space.
In total, the park will be over 145,000 square feet, or roughly two and a half football fields.
The project has been under construction for a little over a year, having officially broken ground in August 2024.
Built for the Community
While the Savannah Ghost Pirates will use the ice arena for practices, the new complex was designed first and foremost as a community asset, said Tom Betti, principal director of the sports studio at JLG Architects, which is overseeing the construction of the park.
"Over 90% of the venue will be geared toward the community," he said. "It'll be able to offer ice skating, hockey programs, figure skating, and more."
The facility will allow for increased access to recreational amenities and public programming with the addition of multi-use sports fields and courts on site.
In terms of entertainment, the nearby Enmarket Arena in Savannah will also complement the new development. Oak View Group, the current operator of the Enmarket Arena, is also set to oversee the new Anchor Park Amphitheater, meaning that more acts will be able to pass through the region with the addition of this venue.
This coordination is expected to "supercharge" music opportunities, Betti said.
With the addition of the new amphitheater, people in this area of the Lowcountry will have more opportunities to enjoy live music close to home, potentially lessening the need to travel for entertainment.
Why Combine Spaces?
When plans for the project first came to fruition back in 2022, the idea to combine the theater and ice rink spaces wasn't "part of the initial plan," Betti said.
Over time, the project evolved through a partnership between Zawyer Sports & Entertainment - the parent company of the Ghost Pirates - the City of Port Wentworth, JLG Architects, and Oak View Group.
Once the budgets were set and the true costs came into focus, the team saw an opportunity to merge the two facilities, providing a unique space for the community and making the project more cost-effective.
Lowcountry Growth
With Port Wentworth's proximity to Savannah, Hilton Head, and Bluffton, combined with the area's ongoing growth, it makes for a strategic location for a major sports and entertainment venue.
City leaders expect the complex to attract tourism and create more jobs and spark additional development in the surrounding area.
A few other projects happening across the Lowcountry include:
- Southpoint development in Hardeeville (John Smith Road & U.S. 278)
- Buc-ee's & Hardee Station (Highway 17, U.S. 278 & I-95)
- TS Conductor manufacturing plant (Clarius Park Hardeeville)
- I-95 improvements
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